BJP Releases 71 Candidates for Bihar Election 2025 | Full List

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its first list of 71 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The announcement, made on October 14, 2025, follows intense backroom negotiations over seat allocation among National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners.

Key Highlights

BJP will contest 71 out of the 101 seats allocated to the party under the NDA seat-sharing agreement. The remaining 30 candidates are expected to be announced soon. The list prominently features both Deputy Chief Ministers, signaling continuity in leadership strategy.

Samrat Chaudhary, Deputy CM, will contest from Tarapur, a key constituency tied to his family’s political legacy.
Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy CM, will contest from Lakhisarai.
Renu Devi, senior BJP leader and state minister, will contest from Bettiah.

The candidate list was finalized during a Central Election Committee meeting chaired by BJP national president J.P. Nadda on October 12. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the meeting, underscoring the strategic importance of Bihar in the national political landscape.

Seat-Sharing Context

This list comes after the NDA finalized its seat-sharing formula on Sunday:

BJP: 101 seats
JD(U): 101 seats
LJP (Ram Vilas): 29 seats
Rashtriya Lok Morcha: 6 seats
Hindustani Awam Morcha: 6 seats

The Tarapur seat allocation was particularly significant, as JD(U) initially wanted to retain it. BJP ultimately kept it for Samrat Chaudhary, indicating the party’s firm stance in negotiations.

Leadership Reactions

BJP Bihar president Dilip Jaiswal expressed confidence in the NDA’s united front, stating, “NDA’s five constituent parties are like the five Pandavas. We will fight together and form the government with a strong majority.”

LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan confirmed that all seat allocation disputes have been “resolved amicably,” clearing the way for joint campaigning.

Opposition Response

The Mahagathbandhan, comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties, is still struggling to finalize its own seat-sharing arrangement. RJD has demanded 144 seats, Congress 70, and negotiations are dragging on. A tentative formula of 135 for RJD and 61 for Congress is reportedly on the table.

Election Significance

This is the first time JD(U) has not been allocated more seats than BJP in Bihar. Political observers say this reflects a power recalibration within the NDA. The early candidate announcement also signals BJP’s organizational preparedness compared to the opposition’s slow start.

Bihar’s 40 Lok Sabha seats make the state strategically crucial ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts view this assembly election as a bellwether for NDA’s broader national strategy.

Campaign Plan

BJP and its allies will begin a four-day joint nomination campaign from October 15 to 18, featuring senior central leaders. The party will also focus its messaging on development, infrastructure, and governance to consolidate its voter base.

FAQs

Q1. How many candidates has BJP announced in the first list?

BJP has announced 71 candidates in the first list out of the 101 seats allocated to the party under the NDA seat-sharing agreement.

Q2. Who are the key leaders contesting the election from BJP?

Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary will contest from Tarapur, Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha from Lakhisarai, and senior BJP leader Renu Devi from Bettiah.

Q3. How many seats will BJP contest in total?

BJP will contest 101 seats in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections as part of the NDA alliance.

Q4. What is the NDA’s seat-sharing formula for Bihar 2025?

BJP: 101 seats
JD(U): 101 seats
LJP (Ram Vilas): 29 seats
Rashtriya Lok Morcha: 6 seats
Hindustani Awam Morcha: 6 seats

Q5. Why is the Tarapur constituency significant?

Tarapur is a political stronghold of Samrat Chaudhary’s family. BJP retaining this seat, despite JD(U)’s interest, shows its negotiating power within NDA.

Q6. How does this list affect NDA’s election strategy?

The early announcement signals strong organizational readiness and aims to project a united NDA front, contrasting the opposition’s ongoing seat-sharing tussles.

Q7. What is the opposition’s current status?

The Mahagathbandhan is still finalizing seat-sharing. RJD is demanding 144 seats and Congress 70, with talks ongoing.