Janata Dal (United) on Friday, 5 June 2025, released its official list of candidates for the 2026 biennial elections and by-elections to the Bihar Legislative Council, fielding four nominees across key districts. The list was issued through a formal party communication signed by state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha.

Key Candidates Named

For the three biennial Legislative Council seats, the party has nominated Nishant Kumar from Patna district, Bharti Mehta from Madhubani, Shivani Devi Prajapati from West Champaran, and Lalan Prasad. The election for 10 seats of the Bihar Legislative Council is scheduled for 18 June.

Who Is Nishant Kumar

Nishant Kumar currently serves as Bihar's Health Minister and belongs to the Backward Class community. He is the son of Nitish Kumar, who led Bihar as Chief Minister for more than two decades and now serves as a Member of the Rajya Sabha. Nishant's nomination is widely seen as a significant political move, given his family's deep roots in the state's governance.

Profiles of Other Nominees

Bharti Mehta holds the dual roles of JD(U) State President of the Women's Wing and party spokesperson. A native of Madhubani, she represents the Extremely Backward Class (EBC) community and has previously served as Chairperson of the Bihar Sanskrit Shiksha Board.

Shivani Devi Prajapati, from West Champaran, also represents the EBC community. She has served as the party's State Secretary and as District Council Chairperson of Bettiah, and is regarded as a key grassroots organiser within JD(U).

Lalan Prasad, hailing from Sheikhpura district, has been associated with Nitish Kumar since the days of the Samata Party and has held multiple organisational positions over the years. He too belongs to the EBC community.

Social Balance and Regional Representation

According to the party, the selection reflects a deliberate effort to balance different social groups and geographic regions of Bihar. Notably, three of the four nominees represent the EBC community — a constituency that has been central to JD(U)'s electoral arithmetic for years. This comes amid the party's broader push to consolidate its organisational base ahead of upcoming electoral contests in the state.

What Happens Next

The electoral process will proceed as per the schedule notified by the relevant election authorities, with the Bihar Legislative Council election for 10 seats set for 18 June. JD(U)'s candidate choices are expected to set the tone for coalition dynamics within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar as the state gears up for a busy electoral calendar.