BJP’s first list of 87 drops 4 sitting MLAs

The BJP on Tuesday came out with its first list of candidates for the Bihar Assembly elections,renominating the majority of the sitting MLAs and dropping only four,including a minister,for “poor performance and defiance of top state leadership”.

After a meeting of the Central Election Committee,the party announced candidates for 87 out of the 102 seats it would contest. While it has sidelined only four sitting MLAs in the first round,sources said the axe could fall on some more in the second list,expected within a week.

Although a strong votary of 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and legislatures,the party has given tickets to only eight women. Those dropped include Minister of State (independent charge) Ramji Das Rishidev (Raniganj),Saharsa MLA Sanjiv Jha and Forbesganj MLA Laxminarain Mehta.

Senior BJP leader Anant Kumar said the CEC had authorised party chief Nitin Gadkari to finalise the names for the remaining 15 seats.