Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The Janata Dal (United) has revealed the list of 16 candidates on Sunday, for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The selection of the MP candidates is widely influenced by last years caste census in Bihar. The partys decision reflects a strategic representation of various caste groups, particularly from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) communities.जनता दल (यूनाइटेड) की ओर से लोकसभा चुनाव-2024 के लिए सभी 16 उम्मीदवारों के नाम की घोषणा कर दी गई है। पार्टी के राष्ट्रीय उपाध्यक्ष श्री @BashisthaNarain जी ने प्रत्याशियों की सूची जारी की।इस मौके पर पार्टी के राष्ट्रीय महासचिव सह राज्यसभा सांसद श्री @SanjayJhaBihar जी, मुंगेर… pic.twitter.com/vIyjuXZBah— Janata Dal (United) (@Jduonline) March 24, 2024Caste preference in candidate selectionOut of the 16 candidates, six hail from the OBC category, while five represent the EBCs. These selections align closely with the demographics of Bihar, where these two categories constitute a significant portion of the population, collectively making up 63%. Moreover, three candidates belong to the upper castes, constituting only 15% of the states populace, while one candidate each represents the Mahadalit and Muslim communities. Notably, two of the candidates are women.Striving for electoral successIn its bid for electoral triumph, similar to the 2019 sweep, the JD(U) has strategically allocated seats within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition. Under this arrangement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 17 seats, while the JD(U) obtained 16. Furthermore, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) was allotted five seats. Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) (HAM-S) and Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha are expected to contest from the Gaya and Karakat parliamentary seats, respectively. The BJP is anticipated to disclose its Bihar candidate list imminently.The selection of the MP candidates is widely influenced by last years caste census in Bihar.Anand Mohan Singhs wife to contest from Sheohar Lok Sabha seatMs Anand, wife of former MP Anand Mohan Singh, an influential upper caste figure from the Kosi region, has been nominated for the Sheohar Lok Sabha seat, previously won by a BJP candidate in 2019.Moreover, significant changes have occurred in candidate selections, such as Devesh Chandra Thakur replacing sitting MP Sunil Kumar Pintu in the Sitamarhi constituency. Moreover, the JD(U) has nominated Mujahid Alam for the Kishanganj seat, replacing a former MLA who faced defeat in the 2020 Assembly polls.Renominated candidates to contest Lok Sabha Elections 2024Apart from these changes, the remaining 12 candidates comprise existing JD(U) MPs who have been re-nominated. Basistha Narayan Singh, JD(U) national vice-president, announced the candidate list, featuring incumbents such as Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Girdhari Yadav, and others.Oppositions coalition talks continueMeanwhile, discussions within the Opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance continue, with RJD leaders Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav scheduled for seat-sharing negotiations with Congress representatives. Reports indicate a willingness to concede six seats, while the Congress seeks nine, reflecting ongoing deliberations over electoral strategy.Moreover, tensions arise over the recent induction of Jan Adhikar Party chief Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav into the Congress, alongside speculations regarding potential candidacies, including Bima Bharti, the JD(U) MLA from Rupauli Assembly constituency, who recently joined the RJD.
