In the Bihar Assembly elections, the ruling National Democratic Alliance has decided to field a mix of familiar and new faces. The NDA, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, has repeated 129 candidates from the 2020 polls, while introducing 114 new candidates. The BJP has repeated 66 candidates, including 54 winners from the previous election, and brought in 35 new faces. The JD(U) has balanced its selection with 51 new candidates and 50 repeats. The alliance composition has changed since 2020, with the LJP(RV) and RLM now part of the NDA, leading to a redistribution of 49 seats among coalition partners. This strategy reflects the NDA's cautious approach to avoid anti-incumbency while adapting to shifts in alliances.
Candidate Choices Show Caution and Repeat Strategy
The NDA has repeated 129 candidates from 2020, including 37 who lost in that election. The BJP, contesting 101 seats, has fielded 66 repeats and 35 new candidates. Among the repeats, 54 had won previously, while 12 had lost. The party dropped 20 of its winning candidates despite having secured 74 seats in 2020. The JD(U), also contesting 101 seats, has an equal split with 51 new faces and 50 repeats. Of the repeats, 33 were winners and 17 had lost last time. Smaller allies like LJP(RV) and RLM have fielded 21 and 4 new candidates respectively, adjusting to their roles within the expanded alliance.
Seat Redistribution Within the Expanded Alliance
With the inclusion of LJP(RV) and RLM and the exit of the Vikassheel Insaan Party, 49 seats have been redistributed among NDA partners. The BJP is now contesting 8 seats previously held by VIP or JD(U), while the JD(U) has taken over 5 seats the BJP contested in 2020. The LJP(RV), contesting 29 seats compared to 143 in 2020 under the undivided LJP, received 11 seats from JD(U), 10 from BJP, and 6 from VIP. The RLM is contesting 6 seats, including 3 from JD(U) and 2 from BJP. This internal adjustment aims to consolidate the alliance's chances across constituencies.
Source: Link