Bihar election: BJP releases first list of 71 candidates; Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary to contest from Tarapur

Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Bihar on 6 November and 11

The BJP on Tuesday  released its first list of 71 candidates for  the two-phase Bihar Assembly elections on November 6 and 11.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary will contest from Tarapur, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha from Lakhisarai, State Minister Nitin Nabin from Bankipur, and Renu Devi will contest from Bettiah.

Some of the other important names include senior party leader Ram Kripal Yadav who will contest from Danapur, Prem Kumar from Gaya, former Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad from Katihar, Alok Ranjan Jha from Saharsa, and Mangal Pandey from Siwan.

Nine women have been named in the list. Apart from Renu Devi, the other women  are Sweety Singh (Kishanganj), Gayatri Devi (Parihar), Devanti Yadav (Narpatganj), Rama Nishad (Aurai), Nisha Singh (Pranpur), Kavita Devi (Korha), Aruna Devi (Warsaliganj), and Shreyasi Singh (Jamui).

Votes will be counted on November 14.  The Central Election Committee of the BJP reportedly met on October 12 under part chief JP Nadda’s chairmanship.

Bihar Elections 2025: BJP releases first list of 71 candidates. Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary to contest from Tarapur, Deputy CM Vijay Sinha from Lakhisarai, Mangal Pandey from Siwan.#BiharElections2025#BiharElectionsWithPTI

(N/1) pic.twitter.com/bSXZNs5a3n — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 14, 2025

On Sunday, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) announced its seat-sharing formula: the BJP and JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, the LJP (Ram Vilas) 29, while the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha will contest six seats each.

The NDA alliance comprises the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

According to reports, Tarapur was one of the seats that was reported to be a flashpoint between the BJP and its ally, Janata Dal United. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reportedly wanted the seat to remain with the JD(U). Tarapur has been with the JDU since 2010.

News18 Hindi reported that the BJP was considering alternative constituencies for Choudhary, including Patna's Kumhrar or Patna Sahib, as part of its Plan B.