The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) unveiled its roster of 16 candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, marking the first electoral contest post the caste survey.
Notably, the majority of seats have been allocated to extremely backward classes (EBCs) and backward classes (OBCs). The announcement of candidates was orchestrated by senior JD-U figures, including the party’s national vice president Vashishta Narayan Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha.
Sanjay Jha disclosed that among the 16 candidates, 12 are incumbent MPs, while the remaining four are new entrants into electoral politics. The distribution of tickets reflects a focus on representing the interests of the extremely backward classes and backward classes, with 11 seats allotted to them. Additionally, one seat has been designated for a minority candidate, and another for a Mahadalit, with two women also featuring on the list. Furthermore, three seats have been earmarked for the Upper caste.
Introducing fresh faces, Vijaylakshmi Kushwaha, who recently joined JD-U, secured a nomination from Siwan, displacing incumbent MP Kavitha Singh. Notably, Vijayalakshmi Kushwaha was previously affiliated with the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, a coalition partner of the NDA. Another newcomer, former MP Lovely Anand, has been nominated from Sheohar, a constituency JD-U acquired this time through a seat-sharing agreement.
The party has nominated Bihar Legislative Council chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur from Sitamarhi, replacing incumbent MP Sunil Kumar Pintu. Additionally, Mujahid Alam has been chosen for Kishanganj, a seat lost by JD-U to the Congress in 2019. Alam, a former Assembly election winner in 2014 from the Kochadhama constituency, aims to reclaim victory lost in 2020.
Under the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement, the BJP will contest 17 seats, JD-U 16, LJP-R of Chirag Paswan five, and HAM-S of former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi and RLM of former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha one each. Sanjay Jha emphasized the smooth functioning within the NDA and ongoing communication with the BJP to streamline coordination and secure victory across all Lok Sabha constituencies.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), JD-U’s coalition partner, is anticipated to reveal its candidates for the remaining 17 seats later in the day.
