JD(U) Expands Bihar Poll Slate With 44 New Candidates; Emphasises Minority And Youth Representation

Stepping up its campaign for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, the Janata Dal (United) on Thursday released its second list of 44 candidates, blending political veterans with emerging leaders to present a socially inclusive front.

The new list highlights Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s strategy of uniting experience and youthful enthusiasm under a common development agenda.

Senior JD(U) figures such as Dhirendra Pratap Singh (Valmikinagar), Leshi Singh (Dhamdaha), and Mahabali Singh (Karakat) feature alongside new-generation leaders like Shweta Gupta (Sheohar) and Samridh Verma (Sikta), representing both rural and urban constituencies.

Party leaders said the selection reflects JD(U)’s core principles of balanced growth, regional representation, and community inclusion, ensuring the participation of leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions.

Move to Strengthen Minority Outreach

In a strategic course correction, the JD(U) has fielded four Muslim candidates in this round: Janab Manzar Alam (Jokihat), Jama Khan (Chainpur), Saba Zafar (Aamour), and Shagufta Azim (Araria).

The decision follows criticism over the absence of Muslim nominees in the party’s earlier list and is seen as a conscious attempt by Nitish Kumar to maintain minority confidence within the NDA alliance.

Political analysts view this as an effort to project the JD(U) as a socially sensitive and broad-based party ahead of the crucial polls.

With this second list, the JD(U) has announced a total of 101 candidates across two phases, signalling that the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement is nearing completion.

The inclusion of both seasoned leaders and younger faces underscores the party’s intent to appeal to a wide voter base, from traditional rural supporters to the aspirational youth.

The party now plans to intensify its campaign through local-level outreach and grassroots mobilisation across key constituencies.

Voters in Bihar will cast their votes in two phases on November 6 and 11, and officials will announce the results on November 14.

Also Read: BJP Announces Second List Of Bihar Assembly Candidates; Maithili Thakur And Anand Mishra Included