BJP fields Arvind Sharma for Bihar Legislative Council by-election on May 12
Synopsis
BJP has fielded four-decade party veteran Arvind Sharma for the Bihar Legislative Council by-election, with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary personally present at the nomination filing. With NDA's full weight behind him and no serious opposition reported, Sharma's election on 12 May is widely seen as a foregone conclusion.
Key Takeaways
Arvind Sharma filed his nomination for the vacant Bihar Legislative Council seat on 30 April 2025 .
He was accompanied by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Choudhary , signalling strong NDA backing.
The seat fell vacant after Mangal Pandey transitioned from MLC to MLA in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
Sharma has been associated with the BJP for nearly four decades and currently heads the party's Bihar headquarters .
Voting is scheduled for 12 May , with results on the same day; the seat's tenure runs until 6 May 2030 .
Sharma's election is widely considered a foregone conclusion, reportedly likely to go unopposed.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, 30 April 2025, formally entered the race for a vacant seat in the Bihar Legislative Council, with its candidate Arvind Sharma filing his nomination in Patna. The by-election is scheduled for 12 May, and Sharma is widely considered a near-certain winner, with his election reportedly expected to go unopposed.
Strong NDA Show at Nomination Filing
Arvind Sharma was accompanied during the nomination process by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, and several senior leaders from National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituent parties. The visible show of unity underscored the ruling coalition's confidence in Sharma's candidacy ahead of the by-election.
Why the Seat Fell Vacant
The vacancy arose after Mangal Pandey, who previously held the seat as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly as an MLA — a dual-membership situation that necessitated a by-election to fill the council seat. The tenure for the contested seat will extend until 6 May 2030.
Who Is Arvind Sharma
A seasoned organisational leader, Arvind Sharma currently serves as the in-charge of the BJP's Bihar headquarters and has been associated with the party for nearly four decades. He is widely regarded within BJP circles as a disciplined, goal-oriented leader with a strong grip on party affairs. Sharma is considered a close confidant of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who is believed to have played a key role in elevating him to his current position. He also shares strong working ties with BJP state president Nitin Nabin, having previously worked closely with Nabin's father, Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha. Additionally, Sharma is known to maintain close ties with Union Minister Giriraj Singh, reflecting his deep connections within the party at both state and national levels.
Key Election Dates
The deadline for filing nominations was 30 April, with scrutiny of nomination papers scheduled until 2 May. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is 4 May. Voting will be held on 12 May, with results expected to be declared on the same day. With strong organisational backing and top leadership support, Sharma's path to the Legislative Council appears largely uncontested.
Point of View
A pattern common in Legislative Council appointments. The presence of both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister at a routine nomination filing is a deliberate show of NDA cohesion ahead of the 2025 Bihar assembly election cycle. Notably, with the seat expected to go unopposed, the real story is less about electoral competition and more about internal BJP hierarchy — specifically, the consolidation of Samrat Choudhary's grip over the state party apparatus.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Arvind Sharma, the BJP's Bihar Legislative Council candidate?
Arvind Sharma is a BJP organisational veteran with nearly four decades of association with the party. He currently serves as the in-charge of the BJP's Bihar headquarters and is considered a close confidant of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
Why is there a by-election for the Bihar Legislative Council seat?
The seat fell vacant because its previous holder, Mangal Pandey, was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly as an MLA, making it necessary to hold a by-election to fill the council seat.
When is the Bihar Legislative Council by-election scheduled?
Voting is scheduled for 12 May 2025, with results to be declared on the same day. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is 4 May 2025.
Is Arvind Sharma expected to win the Bihar Legislative Council election?
Yes, Sharma's election is widely considered a foregone conclusion, with reports suggesting he is likely to be elected unopposed, given the BJP and NDA's strong organisational backing.
How long will the tenure of the Bihar Legislative Council seat be?
The tenure for the contested seat will extend until 6 May 2030, giving the winner approximately five years in the council.
