The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released its first list of 71 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly election 2025.
The announcement follows the finalisation of seat-sharing arrangements within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The list features several high-profile leaders, including the state’s two current Deputy Chief Ministers and two former Deputy Chief Ministers.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary will contest from Tarapur in Munger district, while Vijay Kumar Sinha will represent Lakhisarai.
The BJP has fielded former Deputy Chief Ministers Tarkishore Prasad from Katihar and Renu Devi from Bettiah in West Champaran district.
The BJP has renominated international shooter and sitting MLA Shreyasi Singh from the Jamui seat.
The BJP has also included two former Members of Parliament: Ram Kripal Yadav from Danapur in Patna district and Sunil Kumar Pintu from Sitamarhi.
Pintu had previously represented Sitamarhi in the Lok Sabha, but the parliamentary seat went to the JDU under the NDA seat-sharing formula in 2024.
The BJP has fielded former Congress rebels Sidhartha Saurav and Sangeeta Kumari, who joined the party in 2024, from Bikram and a new constituency, respectively. Saurav notably played a key role in saving the Nitish Kumar government during the floor test.
Other significant candidates include Vishal Prashant from Tarari, former minister Prem Kumar from Gaya City, Virendra Singh from Wazirganj, Anil Singh from Husua, and Aruna Devi from Warsaliganj in Nawada district.
The BJP has nominated Health Minister Mangal Pandey to contest from Siwan and Nitin Naveen from Bankipur in Patna district.
Additional candidates include Krishna Kumar Rishi from Banmankhi, Jivesh Kumar Mishra from Jale, Sanjay Saraogi from Darbhanga, Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul from Bithan in Madhubani district, Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu from Chatapur, and Industry Minister Nitish Mishra from Jhanjharpur in Madhubani district.
Party insiders said the BJP’s first list reflects a careful balance between experienced leaders and new entrants while rewarding loyalty and past electoral performance.
The party is expected to announce the remaining candidates in the coming days.
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