Bihar – The Congress party officially announced its first list of Congress Bihar candidates for the upcoming assembly elections on Thursday, naming 48 nominees across various constituencies. This announcement came before the party finalized its seat-sharing arrangement with Mahagathbandhan allies, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal, signaling the party’s readiness for the electoral battle ahead.
Key Leadership Appointments
The Congress Bihar candidates list features several prominent party leaders in strategic constituencies. Bihar Congress unit chief Rajesh Ram has been named as a candidate from the Kutumba seat, a reserved Scheduled Caste constituency. This selection demonstrates the party’s confidence in its state leadership and commitment to SC representation.
Chief Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan has been fielded from Kadwa constituency, bringing his legislative experience to bear in this crucial contest. The Congress Bihar candidates selection also includes Bihar Youth Congress chief Prakash Garib Das, who will contest from Bachhwada, representing the party’s effort to energize young voters.
Strategic Constituency Selection
Among the Congress Bihar candidates, several nominees have been positioned in electorally significant seats. Jayesh Mangal Singh will contest from Bagaha, while Amit Giri has been assigned Nautan constituency. Abhishek Ranjan will represent the party from Chanpatia, and Wasi Ahmed has been fielded from Bettiah.
The Congress Bihar candidates list shows careful consideration of regional dynamics. Shyam Bihari Prasad will contest from Raxaul, while Shashi Bhushan Rai, also known as Gappu Rai, has been nominated from Govindganj. Amit Kumar Singh Tunna will fight from Riga constituency, extending the party’s reach across different regions of Bihar.
Focus on Reserved Constituencies
The Congress Bihar candidates selection demonstrates significant attention to reserved constituencies. Engineer Navin Kumar has been fielded from Bathnaha, a Scheduled Caste reserved seat. Punam Paswan will contest from Korha (SC), while Sarita Devi has been nominated from Sonbarsha (SC).
Additional SC reserved seats among the Congress Bihar candidates include Umesh Ram from Sakra, Pratima Kumari from Raja Pakar, Braj Kishore Ravi from Rosera, Vishwanath Ram from Rajpur, Mangal Ram from Chenari, and Rajesh Ram from Kutumba. Manohar Prasad Singh has been fielded from Manihari, the Scheduled Tribes reserved constituency, ensuring tribal representation.
Urban and Semi-Urban Contests
The Congress Bihar candidates list includes nominees for key urban centers. Bijendra Chaudhary will contest from Muzaffarpur, while Amita Bhushan has been fielded from Begusarai. Ajit Kumar Sharma will represent Congress from Bhagalpur, and Omair Khan has been nominated from Bihar Sharif.
From Patna constituencies, the Congress Bihar candidates include Indradeep Chandravanshi from Kumhrar and Shashant Shekhar from Patna Sahib. Anil Kumar Singh will contest from Bikram, representing the party’s effort to maintain its presence in the state capital region.
Regional Balance and Diversity
The Congress Bihar candidates reflect regional diversity across the state. From northern Bihar, Nalini Ranjan Jha will contest Benipatti, Subodh Mandal from Phulparas, and Manoj Vishwas from Forbesganj. Professor Maswar Alam, also known as Professor Mushabbir Alam, has been fielded from Bahadurganj.
In eastern regions, the Congress Bihar candidates include Dr. Chandan Yadav from Khagaria, Mithlesh Kumar Nishad from Beldaur, and Lalan Yadav from Sultanganj. Jitendra Singh will contest from Amarpur, while Amresh Kumar, known as Anish, has been nominated from Lakhisarai.
Southern and Central Bihar Representation
The Congress Bihar candidates for southern and central regions include Trisuldhari Singh from Barbigha and Kaushlendra Kumar, nicknamed “Chhote Mukhiya,” from Nalanda. Arun Kumar Bind will contest from Harnaut, ensuring OBC representation in this region.
From Buxar and surrounding areas, the Congress Bihar candidates feature Sanjay Kumar Tiwari from Buxar, Santosh Mishra from Kargahar, and Anand Shankar Singh from Aurangabad. Awadhesh Kumar Singh has been fielded from Wazirganj, while Nitu Kumari will contest from Hisua.
Additional Notable Selections
The Congress Bihar candidates list includes several other strategic nominations. Mithilesh Kumar Chaudhary will contest from Benipur, Om Prakash Garg from Gopalganj, and Hari Narain Kushwah from Kuchaikote. Aditya Kumar Raja has been fielded from Lalganj, while Sanjeev Singh will represent Vaishali.
Election Timeline and Process
The announcement of Congress Bihar candidates comes at a crucial time in the election schedule. Polling for Bihar’s 243-seat Assembly will occur in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14. The last date for filing nominations for the first phase is October 17, while the second phase deadline is October 20.
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Pre-emptive Announcement Strategy
The decision to release the Congress Bihar candidates list before finalizing the Mahagathbandhan seat-sharing arrangement represents a bold strategic move. This pre-emptive announcement allows candidates more time for grassroots campaigning and constituency-level organization, potentially giving them an advantage over competitors who announce later.
The Congress Bihar candidates will now need to begin their campaign activities immediately, connecting with voters and building local support networks. The early announcement also sends a message of organizational readiness and confidence to both allies and opponents.
Conclusion and Electoral Prospects
The first list of Congress Bihar candidates featuring 48 nominees sets the stage for the party’s electoral battle in the state. With a mix of experienced leaders, youth representatives, and candidates from diverse social backgrounds, Congress aims to make significant gains in the upcoming assembly elections. As the Mahagathbandhan finalizes its complete seat-sharing arrangement, these Congress Bihar candidates will play a crucial role in determining the alliance’s overall performance and the political future of Bihar.
