BJP’s first Bihar poll list features several senior leaders and sitting MLAs, but no Muslim candidate, drawing political attention.
BY PC Bureau
Patna, October 14, 2025 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday announced its first list of 71 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, placing several senior leaders and prominent faces at the forefront of its campaign. With this list, the BJP has signaled its intent to contest the polls with a mix of seasoned politicians and fresh candidates, while also aiming to balance caste, gender, and regional dynamics.
The list was released following a meeting of the BJP’s Central Election Committee in New Delhi. Among the most high-profile names are both Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar — Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha — who have been fielded from their respective strongholds, Tarapur and Lakhisarai. Their inclusion underlines the party’s strategy to highlight its current leadership as a symbol of continuity and governance experience.
Also returning to the electoral fray is senior BJP leader Ram Kripal Yadav, who will contest from Danapur, while former Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad has been nominated from Katihar. Mangal Pandey, who currently serves as the state’s Health Minister, has been fielded from Siwan.
Other notable candidates in the list include Renu Devi from Bettiah, Nitin Nabin from Bankipur, and Prem Kumar from Gaya Town. Shreyasi Singh, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist who first entered politics in the 2020 elections, will once again contest from Jamui. In all, nine women have been included in the list, reflecting the party’s stated aim of increasing female political participation, though critics argue the number remains modest.
One of the more surprising developments was the exclusion of veteran leader Nand Kishore Yadav, whose name does not feature in the list. In his place, the BJP has nominated Ratnesh Kushwaha from Patna Sahib. The move is being interpreted as part of a broader push by the party to infuse new energy and leadership into its ranks.
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The announcement comes in the backdrop of the recently finalized seat-sharing formula within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar. As per the arrangement, the BJP and Janata Dal (United) will each contest 101 seats out of the total 243, while the remaining seats have been distributed among smaller allies including the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and the Rashtriya Lok Morcha.
BJP releases first list of 71 candidates for Bihar Assebly elections. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary to contest from Tarapur, Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha from Lakhisarai, State Minister Nitin Nabin from Bankipur and Renu Devi to contest from Bettiah. pic.twitter.com/brXr2q2Ym7
— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2025
Sources within the BJP suggest that the selection process was carefully calibrated to maintain social balance, particularly in terms of caste representation — a crucial factor in Bihar’s electoral politics. Regions such as Mithilanchal, Magadh, and Seemanchal have been given weightage, with candidates fielded from both traditional BJP bastions and competitive constituencies.
While the release of the first list marks an assertive start to the BJP’s campaign, it has also sparked some murmurs of discontent within party ranks. Supporters of leaders who were denied tickets, particularly sitting MLAs and veterans, are reportedly unhappy. Party insiders, however, maintain that further adjustments and possible accommodations may be made in future lists.
The BJP is expected to release a second list of candidates in the coming days to complete its share of 101 seats. This next phase will likely focus on constituencies that are seen as more competitive or require delicate coalition handling.
As the campaign season picks up pace, the BJP’s strategy appears to revolve around projecting a stable and experienced leadership, reinforcing its governance record, and presenting a controlled narrative of renewal within the party ranks. Whether this calculated mix translates into electoral success will unfold in the weeks ahead.
Key Highlights & Top Names
- Both Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar — Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha — have been given tickets in this first list. Chaudhary will contest from Tarapur, while Sinha will run from Lakhisarai.
- Senior leader Ram Kripal Yadav is fielded from Danapur.
- Former Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad has been named as the candidate from Katihar.
- Mangal Pandey, currently serving as Health Minister in the Bihar government, is contesting from Siwan
- Other notable names include Renu Devi (from Bettiah), Nitin Nabin (from Bankipur), and Prem Kumar (from Gaya Town).
- A striking exclusion is Nand Kishore Yadav, a veteran BJP leader and former speaker, whose name did not feature in the list. Instead, the party has fielded Ratnesh Kushwaha from Patna Sahib. The BJP has also included Shreyasi Singh, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, as its candidate from Jamui. In total, the first list has nine women candidates.
Strategic & Symbolic Moves
- Balancing Experience & Fresh Faces
The BJP’s candidate list reflects a combination of veteran leaders and new entrants. By putting its two deputy CMs front and center, the party aims to project stability and continuity. At the same time, dropping veteran names such as Nand Kishore Yadav signals an intent to refresh its electoral face.
- Caste, Gender & Regional Mix
The BJP’s Central Election Committee, which met in New Delhi, reportedly focused on caste and gender balance as it crafted the list The inclusion of nine women is an attempt (though modest) to broaden representation.
The geographical spread of candidates also seeks to cover key electoral zones in northern Bihar, central belts, and backward regions. The party has fielded candidates from strongholds and winnable constituencies alike.
- Seat‑Sharing Context & Alliance Calculus
This announcement comes just after the NDA’s seat-sharing agreement in Bihar, under which BJP and JD(U) will each contest 101 seats from the 243‑member assembly. Smaller allies like LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (Secular), and RLM have been allotted 29, 6, and 6 seats respectively.
By releasing the first set of 71, BJP is signaling confidence in its share and forcing further clarity from alliance partners
- Messaging & Electoral Narrative
Putting top leaders in the field (especially both deputy CMs) helps BJP emphasize continuity of governance, leadership credibility, and stakes of the election. The exclusion of longtime leaders could be used to underscore change and renewal. The party may use these narratives to appeal to both its core base and undecided voters
