JDU releases final list of 44 candidates, escalating seat-sharing tensions in Bihar

The Janata Dal United (JDU) on October 16 unveiled its final list of 44 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a move that is likely to further strain the ruling National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) already fragile seat-sharing negotiations.

The announcement comes a day after the party released its first list of 57 candidates, including nominees for four high-profile constituencies claimed by Chirag Paswan, signaling JDU’s unwavering intent to contest these seats and intensifying the ongoing tussle within the alliance.

Notable nominations include Minister Sumit Singh from Chakai, Jama Khan from Chainpur, Jayant Raj from Amarpur, and Lesy Singh from Dhamdaha. Vashishtha Singh will contest from Kargahar, while Bulo Mandal is fielded from Gopalpur. Gopal Mandal, however, has seen his ticket cancelled.

The candidate roster reflects Bihar’s diverse social landscape: 37 OBCs, 22 EBCs, 22 General category, 15 SCs, 1 ST, and four Muslim candidates.

The seat-sharing discord has been exacerbated by the BJP, which released its first list of 71 candidates earlier this week and now has 101 nominees after subsequent announcements. Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has also declared its first list of 14 candidates.

Rajgir in Nalanda district, Nitish Kumar’s home turf, has emerged as a flashpoint, with JDU asserting its influence over five of the district’s seven seats. The announcement of candidates for Sonbarsa, Morwa, Ekma, and Rajgir in the first list is expected to irk Paswan, who has claimed these constituencies.

With less than a month remaining before Bihar heads to the polls on November 6 and 11, and votes set to be counted on November 14, the NDA faces mounting pressure to resolve its internal rifts or risk electoral setbacks in the crucial eastern state.