BJP Core Group Gathers to Decide Bihar Poll Candidates

The BJP’s top leadership, including National President J.P. Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, met on Saturday at Nadda’s residence to finalize the party’s candidates for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The crucial meeting, which began at 11 a.m., brought together senior Bihar BJP figures and key core group members. This high-stakes discussion comes at a pivotal moment, following the expected public announcement of the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) seat-sharing formula in Patna. The primary agenda item for the BJP core group was to confirm the nominees for the seats designated to the party within the NDA framework. The BJP’s state election committee had previously forwarded lists of prospective candidates to the central leadership. Insiders anticipate that the first list of BJP candidates might be released around October 13, possibly reflecting a consolidated approach across the NDA. In a conciliatory move, allies are expressing optimism. Chirag Paswan, the head of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has alluded to a nearing agreement on seat distribution, emphasizing his faith in the Prime Minister’s leadership. His party is being reintegrated into the NDA fold. Jitan Ram Manjhi, president of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), is also in talks for seat allocation, reportedly aiming for a larger number of constituencies than in 2020. Despite potential adjustments to their demands, it is widely believed that both Paswan and Manjhi will ultimately accept the agreed-upon seat-sharing plan after intervention from senior BJP leaders. Voting for the Bihar Assembly elections will take place on November 6 and 11, with the election results declared on November 14, 2025.