Patna : The Bihar polls BJP final list is finally out, as the party released its third and final set of 18 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. With this announcement, the BJP has completed its share of 101 seats under the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement. This final list reflects the party’s strategic choices for key constituencies across the state.
Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) also announced four candidates. In its first list, the party fielded Madhav Anand from Madhubani, Prashant Kumar Pankaj from Ujiarpur, Snehlata, wife of party chief Upendra Kushwaha, from Sasaram, and Alok Kumar Singh from Dinara. Thus, the RLM will contest a total of six seats as part of the alliance.
Earlier, the BJP had unveiled two sets of candidates — 71 names in the first list on Tuesday and 12 in the second on Wednesday. Therefore, the Bihar polls BJP final list now completes the party’s candidate declaration for all 101 constituencies.
The second list featured two notable names — renowned folk singer Maithili Thakur and retired IPS officer Anand Mishra — both expected to draw strong support from their respective regions. Moreover, these selections indicate BJP’s intent to appeal to diverse voter bases.
In a parallel move, the Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) released its first list of 14 candidates on Wednesday. The party, allotted 29 seats under the NDA formula, will release its remaining list soon. Among its candidates are Bihar state president Raju Tiwari from Govindganj in East Champaran, Hulas Pandey from Brahmapur in Buxar, and Seemant Mrinal, Chirag Paswan’s nephew, from the Garkha (SC) constituency in Saran district.
Under the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement, the JD(U) and BJP are contesting 101 seats each, while LJP (Ram Vilas) will fight on 29 seats. Additionally, former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM each hold six seats.
Despite the agreement, friction persists. For example, HAM leader Jitan Ram Manjhi announced plans to contest from Makhdumpur and Bodh Gaya, both allotted to the LJP (RV). Furthermore, discussions continue over other seats, including Mahua and Chakai.
Amid these tensions, RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday and assured that all issues would be settled amicably within the NDA.
The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections will take place on November 6, followed by the second phase on November 11. Finally, vote counting is scheduled for November 14.
–IANS
