LOYALTY OVER LEGACY: BJP'S BIHAR MESSAGE

The BJP on Tuesday unveiled its first list for the Bihar Assembly polls, signalling a generational shift and a clear stand against dynastic politics.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA/AJIT MAINDOLA/TIKAM SHARMA/ ANAND SINGH

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday released its first list of 71 candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections, emphasising loyalty over legacy and rejecting dynastic claims — a message championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reiterated by election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan during his recent Patna visit.

Both Deputy Chief Ministers — Samrat Choudhary (Tarapur) and Vijay Kumar Sinha (Lakhisarai) — figure on the list, along with senior leaders Renu Devi (Bettiah), Tarkishore Prasad (Katihar), Mangal Pandey (Siwan) and Dr Prem Kumar (Gaya), who will contest for a ninth time. Other key names include Ram Kripal Yadav (Danapur), Nitin Navin (Banki-pur), Jibesh Kumar Mishra smaller allies. Meanwhile, the Pashupati Paras-led RLJP has threatened to field candidates on at least 121 seats if it is not given a “fair deal” in the final seat-sharing arrangement. The Mahagathbandhan is also set to induct a new (Jale), Krishna Kumar Rishi (Banmankhi), Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur) and Dr Sunil Kumar (Biharsharif).