NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is banking on a bold gambit in the upcoming Bihar elections — it has removed around 25 sitting MLAs from its candidate list, as it finalizes proposals for 125 seats. The state election committee, in a marathon 3-hour meeting in Patna, forwarded three names per seat to the central leadership. The final approval is expected during the BJP’s central committee meeting in Delhi on October 11–12.
The seats under discussion include the 110 seats BJP contested in 2020, plus four additional seats held by defectors who joined BJP. The central committee is expected to take into account winnability, anti-incumbency factors, loyalty to the party, and the imperative of new faces.
Gujarat Model style renewal strategy
Party insiders say the decision to drop a large number of sitting MLAs echoes BJP’s strategy in Gujarat (where nearly 45 out of 108 MLAs were denied tickets). The aim is to blunt anti-incumbency by introducing fresh faces.
Earlier estimates had fewer MLAs dropped
Some recent reports had pegged the number of sitting MLAs likely to be denied tickets at 15–18. But the figure has now risen, indicating sharper internal realignments and tougher performance thresholds for incumbents.
Seat-sharing pressures with allies complicate things
The BJP is under pressure from NDA partners over allocation of seats — especially from Chirag Paswan’s LJP (RV) (which is demanding 36+ seats while BJP is reportedly offering around 22). Also, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM(S) is demanding at least 15 seats, threatening to pull out otherwise.
These demands may force the BJP central committee to rethink candidate recommendations or reallocate some of the 125 seats.
In a fresh development, RJD MLA Bharat Bind resigned from the Bihar assembly and left RJD, stating he will contest on a BJP ticket. This signals BJP’s continuing efforts at attrition in the opposition and may help it shore up seats in key constituencies.
The Election Commission has scheduled the first phase of nomination for October 11.
After nominations, scrutiny, and withdrawal deadlines, polling is scheduled for November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14.
Thus the central committee’s decision in Delhi on October 11–12 is very tight — it leaves little margin for rework if alliance demands or objections arises.
Internal BJP surveys / ground reporting — Are the dropped MLAs based on poor surveys, low booth performance and Social factors (caste, regional balance)?
Allied party statements — What are LJP(RV), HAM(S), and whether JD(U) is pushing back?
Opposition counter strategy — Will RJD / INDIA bloc try to exploit BJP’s internal churn or poach disgruntled MLAs.
