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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated a landslide victory in Bihar’s recent elections, winning 15 out of 17 seats—an 88% strike rate. Yet, 12 BJP candidates faced defeat despite the party’s dominance. Who are these leaders, and what led to their losses? Here’s a breakdown.
BJP’s Dominance in Bihar Elections
The BJP-led NDA secured a near-sweep in Bihar, aided by allies JD(U) and LJP (Ram Vilas). Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and the party’s strong campaign strategy played pivotal roles. However, the defeats of these 12 candidates reveal underlying local challenges.
List of BJP’s Defeated Candidates in Bihar
- Sushilal Kesarwani (Sheohar) – Lost narrowly due to anti-incumbency and internal factionalism.
- Mithilesh Tiwari (Maharajganj) – Outperformed by entrenched regional leaders.
- Janardan Singh Sigriwal (Begusarai) – Opposition vote consolidation caused an upset.
- Rajesh Verma (Gopalganj) – Caste-based tactics by RJD led to his defeat.
- Sanjay Sarawgi (Bhagalpur) – Muslim-Yadav alliance overpowered BJP’s urban appeal.
- Rit Lal Yadav (Arrah) – Poor candidate selection and local rebellion hurt prospects.
- Ashok Yadav (Jehanabad) – RJD’s historical stronghold remained unshaken.
- Arun Kumar (Munger) – Voter discontent over development issues.
- Rajendra Singh (Buxar) – Last-minute candidate switch backfired.
- Nityanand Rai’s Successor (Ujiarpur) – Failed to retain the seat after Rai shifted constituencies.
- Veena Devi (Vaishali) – Alleged neglect of local issues and worker dissent.
- Rajendra Prasad Gupta (Siwan) – Lost to a strong opposition candidate.
Key Reasons Behind BJP’s Losses in These Seats
- Caste Politics: Opposition alliances leveraged Bihar’s caste equations effectively.
- Anti-Incumbency: Sitting MPs faced backlash over unmet promises.
- Weak Candidate Selection: Some nominees lacked grassroots connect.
- Internal Conflicts: Rebels within BJP ranks sabotaged campaigns.
- Opposition Unity: INDIA bloc’s strategic partnerships minimized vote-splitting.
What BJP Can Learn for Future Elections
While the BJP’s overall performance was stellar, these defeats underscore the need for:
– Better candidate screening based on local influence.
– Addressing voter grievances proactively.
– Strengthening party unity in faction-prone regions.
Conclusion
BJP’s 88% strike rate in Bihar highlights its dominance, but the 12 losses reveal gaps in local strategy. Balancing national narratives with regional nuances will be critical for future success.
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