Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, October 14, 2025: The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday released its first list of 71 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, marking the start of an intense political battle in the state.
While the list includes both of Bihar’s Deputy Chief Ministers and several sitting ministers, it has surprised many with the exclusion of some senior leaders.
BJP excluded Nand Kishor Yadav from the list:
Seven-time MLA and former Speaker of the Bihar Assembly, Nand Kishore Yadav, has been denied a ticket from Patna Sahib. The party has nominated Ratnesh Kushwaha in his place. Reacting gracefully to the decision, Yadav said.
“I stand with the Bhartiya Janata Party’s decision. The party has given me a lot, and I have no complaints. The new generation is welcome and congratulated. I am Grateful to the people of Patna Sahib for making me victorious seven times. I will never forget the affection and love I received.”
Apart from Yadav, Minister Motilal Prasad (Riga) and Ramsurat Rai (Aurai) have also been dropped from the candidate list.
Meanwhile, Health Minister and MLC Mangal Pandey has been fielded from Siwan, while former JDU MP Sunil Kumar Pintu, who recently returned to the BJP, has been given a ticket from Sitamarhi.
The BJP has also fielded Arun Prasad from Khajauli, a seat earlier speculated to go to Upendra Kushwaha.
Two Deputy CMs are in the list:
The first list includes both Deputy Chief Ministers—Samrat Choudhary from Tarapur (Munger) and Vijay Kumar Sinha from Lakhisarai—along with 12 ministers, 48 sitting MLAs, and several new faces.
As per the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement, the BJP and JDU will contest 101 seats each, LJP (Ram Vilas) has been allotted 29 seats, while Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLSP will contest 6 seats each.
With 71 candidates named, the BJP is expected to release its second list of 30 candidates soon.
The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases—on November 6 and 11, while the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
Also Read: BJP MLA Mishrilal Yadav resigns, citing humiliation and neglect of backward classes.
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