BJP’s Big Gamble In Bihar Elections, 25 Sitting Legislators Dropped From Final Candidate List

National News: The Bharatiya Janata Party has finalized candidates for 125 assembly seats in Bihar as part of its election preparations. At the state committee meeting, three potential names were shortlisted for each constituency. These names will now be sent to the Central Election Committee and the Parliamentary Board in Delhi for the final nod. What stands out in the list is that 25 sitting MLAs have been dropped, signaling the party’s intent to bring in fresh faces and address anti-incumbency challenges across the state.

Central panel to decide final names

According to party sources, the Central Election Committee will take the ultimate decision on October 11 and 12 in Delhi. The exclusion of 25 MLAs was based on performance reviews, complaints, and allegations that surfaced against them. BJP leaders believe such bold steps are necessary to counter growing local dissatisfaction. By reshaping the candidate pool, the party is hoping to strengthen its chances of retaining and expanding its hold in Bihar.

Focus on seats from 2020 polls

The seats under discussion were mainly the 110 that BJP contested in 2020, along with 11 earlier allotted to Mukesh Sahni’s VIP, and four seats from MLAs who had joined BJP later. This mix shows the party is recalibrating its alliances and positioning. Leaders emphasize that while loyalty matters, winning potential and public perception are even more critical. Every seat is being analyzed with precision to avoid mistakes that cost dearly in past elections.

Three-hour marathon state meeting

The state headquarters in Patna hosted a three-hour long meeting where leaders debated every name. Discussions covered candidate popularity, influence, organizational participation, and ground-level activism. Party strategists highlighted the importance of projecting energy and fresh commitment rather than relying on old names. This detailed exercise was meant to balance regional strengths with the larger narrative that BJP wants to push in the coming assembly battle.

Top leaders part of the strategy

The meeting was chaired by state president Dilip Jaiswal, with election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan and co-in-charge Keshav Prasad Maurya attending. Assembly Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav, Union Ministers Giriraj Singh, Nityanand Rai, Mangal Pandey, and Sanjay Jaiswal also took part. Their collective presence shows how seriously the party is taking Bihar, treating it as a crucial state ahead of the upcoming polls. Unity among central and state leaders was emphasized throughout.

Previous rounds of candidate screening

Before this major meeting, preliminary discussions had already been held on October 4 and 5. Initially, lists were prepared for seats already held by BJP. Later, lost constituencies and new prospects were added for consideration. By layering the process in stages, the leadership ensured no seat was ignored. Insiders reveal that this detailed vetting aims to strike a balance between organizational loyalty and fresh electability.

Message of discipline and renewal

By dropping 25 sitting MLAs, BJP is sending a clear message of accountability. No seat is guaranteed, and performance remains the key criterion. Strategists believe this move will energize local cadres and reduce voter resentment. The central leadership will finalize the names soon, but the signal is evident—discipline, change, and strategy will decide BJP’s fight in Bihar, not just old equations. The move is being seen as both risky and refreshing in equal measure.