The National Democratic Alliance in Bihar has distributed tickets to 243 candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections, with Rajputs and Extremely Backward Classes receiving the highest share. More than 30 candidates each are from Rajput and EBC communities like Noniyas, Nishads, and Dhanuks. The coalition includes over a dozen Brahmins, around 25 Bhumihars, approximately 20 Vaishyas, a similar number from the Koeri OBC group, and around 15 Yadavs. Only 5 Muslim candidates have been fielded across all seats. The BJP and Janata Dal (United) are each contesting 101 seats, while Lok Janshakti Party (RV) has 29, and Rashtriya Lok Morcha and Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) have 6 seats each. The alliance has repeated 129 names from the 2020 elections, including 37 who previously lost, while 114 are fresh faces. At least 80 candidates have previously served as ministers.
Women representation and educational background
Despite relying on women-centric schemes like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, which provided Rs 10,000 to 1.2 crore women, less than 15 percent of tickets went to women—only 36 of 243. JD(U) fielded 14 women, BJP 13, LJP (RV) 6, HAM (S) 2, and RLM 1. Educationally, around 60 candidates (24.7 percent) declared graduation, over 50 (20.5 percent) listed intermediate qualifications, and more than 30 are postgraduates. The list also includes 17 with Class 10, a dozen law graduates, 15 PhD holders, 5 MBA holders, two D Litts, and two MBBS degree holders. About 11 identified as literate.
Dynasts, turncoats, and criminal backgrounds
At least 24 candidates (about 10 percent) are dynasts, continuing prominent political legacies. These include LJP (RV) chief Chirag Paswan's nephew Simant Mrinal, HAM (S) chief Jitam Ram Manjhi's daughter-in-law Deepa Kumari, and BJP's Rama Nishad. Around 39 tickets went to turncoats, including Matihani MLA Raj Kumar Singh and Parsa MLA Chhotey Lal Rai. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms analysis for the first phase covering 121 seats, 39 percent of JD(U) candidates (22 of 57), 65 percent of BJP (31 of 48), and 45 percent of LJP (RV) (13 of 29) face criminal cases. Agriculture is cited as the primary income source for around 45 percent of candidates.
Source: Link