3. Backward classes get priority in JD(U) list

| Mar 24, 2024, 23:18 IST

Bihar's JD(U), led by chief minister Nitish Kumar, on Sunday announced candidates for all the 16 Lok Sabha seats it's contesting, prioritising representation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), core to the party's support base.

Shift in candidate selection

While 12 sitting MPs retain their candidacy, Sunil Kumar Pintu and Kavita Singh lose tickets in Sitamarhi and Siwan respectively. The latter two have been replaced by Devesh Chandra Thakur and Vijaylaxmi Devi, who joined JD(U) along with her husband Ramesh Singh Thakur.

Allocation within NDA

JD(U) to contest 16 out of Bihar's 40 seats, as per its deal with NDA allies, maintaining its Lok Sabha strength but contesting one seat less than before.
Focusing on representation, it eyes the Muslim-majority Kishanganj seat with Mujahid Alam.
Additionally, it surrenders Karakat to ally Rashtriya Lok Morcha but secures Sheohar, held by BJP, nominating Lovely Anand.

Inclusive representation

JD(U)'s candidate list prioritises diversity, with representation from various communities including OBCs, EBCs, Mahadalits, Muslims, upper castes, and women, ensuring fair representation across society.
The party is contesting only one of the six reserved constituencies in Bihar, Gopalganj, where sitting MP Alok Suman will seek re-election.

Key contests

Other sitting MPs seeking re-election include former JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' from Munger and Nalanda MP Kaushalendra Kumar, aiming for a fourth consecutive term from the seat previously held by Nitish Kumar and his mentor George Fernandes.
Purnea MP Santosh Kumar Kushwaha, eyeing his third win, braces for a three-way race as Congress supports Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, while RJD hints at fielding Bima Bharti, who resigned from JDU on Saturday.
Pappu Yadav's merger of Jan Adhikar Party into Congress could significantly impact the political dynamics, especially in the Seemanchal region.

Past performance

In the 2019 LS polls, the NDA secured 39 out of 40 seats, with BJP, JD(U), and LJP emerging victorious while the Mahagathbandhan managed only one seat.
In 2014, the BJP won 22 seats, followed by LJP with 6 seats, RJD with 4 seats, and INC with only 2 seats.

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