The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar has distributed tickets for the state assembly elections, with Rajputs and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) receiving the largest share. Over 30 candidates each come from Rajput and EBC communities like Noniyas, Nishads, and Dhanuks. The coalition includes the BJP and JD(U) contesting 101 seats each, LJP (RV) with 29 seats, and six seats each for RLM and HAM-S. The NDA has repeated 129 candidates from the 2020 elections, including 37 who lost previously, while 114 are new faces. At least 80 candidates have ministerial experience. The coalition fielded only 36 women (less than 15% of total seats) and just 5 Muslim candidates across 243 constituencies. Around 45% of candidates list agriculture as their primary or secondary income source, with over 65% having rural or semi-rural roots.
Caste Composition and Educational Background of Candidates
The NDA candidate list includes over a dozen Brahmins, around 25 Bhumihars, approximately 20 Vaishyas or Baniyas (upper castes), similar numbers from the OBC Koeri group, and around 15 Yadavs. About 60 candidates (24.7%) listed graduation as their educational qualification, while over 50 (20.5%) have intermediate or equivalent education. More than 30 candidates are postgraduates, 17 cleared Class 10, a dozen hold law degrees, and there are 15 PhD holders, 5 with MBA, two D Litts, and two MBBS holders. Around 11 candidates identified as literate, with several declaring varying middle to high school education. Over half of the 243 candidates possess previous legislative experience in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Bihar Legislative Council, or Assembly.
Dynastic Politics and Turncoats in NDA Lineup
Despite attacking RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for dynasty politics, the NDA list includes at least 24 dynasts (about 10% of total candidates). Notable examples include LJP (RV) chief Chirag Paswan's nephew Simant Mrinal contesting from Garkha, HAM-S chief Jitam Ram Manjhi's daughter-in-law Deepa Kumari re-fielded from Imamganj, and BJP's Rama Nishad from Aurai. Around 39 NDA tickets went to turncoats, including Matihani MLA Raj Kumar Singh who switched from LJP to JD(U), and Parsa MLA Chhotey Lal Rai who moved from RJD to JD(U). According to Association for Democratic Reforms analysis, 39% of JD(U) candidates, 65% of BJP candidates, and 45% of LJP (RV) candidates face criminal cases in the first phase covering 121 seats.
Source: Link