BJP Announces Complete List of 101 Candidates for Bihar Assembly Elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday announced its third and final list of candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, thereby completing the lineup for all 101 seats it is contesting. With this announcement, the party has officially declared candidates for every constituency under its share of seats within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) arrangement.

Third List Released: Focus on Representation and Strategy

In the third list, the BJP has included names from across different regions and communities, maintaining a balance between experienced leaders and new entrants. The list features Nand Kishor Ram from Ramnagar, Krishnanandan Paswan from Harsidhi, Murari Paswan from Pirpainti, and Sangeeta Kumari from Mohania — all of which are constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes.

Additionally, Sanjay Pandey will be contesting from Narkatiaganj, Satish Kumar Yadav from Raghopur, Bharat Bind from Bhabua, and Ashok Kumar Singh from Ramgarh. The inclusion of these names reflects the party’s effort to blend caste representation with political strategy in key constituencies.

Second List Included High-Profile Names

Earlier in the day, the BJP had released its second list comprising 12 candidates. The list drew attention due to the inclusion of popular Maithili singer Maithili Thakur and former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Anand Mishra from Assam. Thakur, who joined the BJP earlier this week, has been fielded from Alinagar, while Anand Mishra will contest from Buxar.

Their entry indicates the BJP’s attempt to appeal to both the youth and cultural segments of voters in Bihar. Maithili Thakur, known for her wide reach among young audiences, brings a blend of popularity and regional pride, while Anand Mishra’s background in law enforcement adds to the party’s image of discipline and governance.

First List Set the Tone with Top Leadership Names

The BJP’s first list, released on Tuesday, set the tone for its campaign by including senior party figures and current deputy chief ministers. The list featured Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, who are contesting from Tarapur and Lakhisarai respectively. These selections underline the party’s strategy of reinforcing its leadership base while also energising its core supporters ahead of the elections.

The combination of top leaders and fresh faces across the three lists suggests that the BJP is focusing on both continuity and renewal, aiming to strengthen its organisational presence in Bihar while maintaining its alliance commitments.

NDA’s Seat-Sharing Formula

Under the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement, the BJP and Janata Dal (United) — JD(U) — are contesting on 101 seats each, while the Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has been allocated 29 seats. This division reflects the alliance’s effort to maintain balance among the major constituents, ensuring that all partners have sufficient political space to mobilise their traditional voter bases.

Election Schedule and Key Dates

The Bihar Assembly elections will take place in two phases. The first phase is scheduled for November 6, while the second phase will be held on November 11. Counting of votes will take place on November 14. These elections will determine the future political course of one of India’s most politically active states, where caste equations, local leadership, and developmental agendas often play decisive roles.

Balancing Representation and Regional Dynamics

By releasing its final list well ahead of the polls, the BJP has demonstrated organisational readiness and clarity in its electoral approach. The inclusion of candidates from diverse backgrounds — including Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, women, and professionals — suggests an effort to widen the party’s voter outreach and reinforce its “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” narrative.

Observers believe that the BJP’s list reflects a calculated attempt to retain its traditional voter base while also expanding its appeal among new and young voters. With Bihar’s politics deeply rooted in caste and community affiliations, the party appears to be focusing on a balanced representation across various social segments.

Political Significance of Bihar for BJP

Bihar remains a crucial state in the BJP’s national political strategy, not only due to its size and population but also because it serves as a test of the NDA’s strength in eastern India. The upcoming election will also gauge the performance of the state government led by the NDA in terms of governance, development, and social welfare programs.

With the opposition alliances preparing to mount a strong challenge, the BJP’s careful selection of candidates indicates that it is aiming for both electoral consolidation and effective constituency-level mobilisation.