The BJP on Tuesday released the first list of 71 candidates for the two-phase Bihar Assembly elections, fielding both Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, besides other seniors.

While Sinha has been renominated from MLA seat of Lakhisarai, Chaudhary, an MLC, has been fielded from Tarapur.

The BJP is contesting 101 seats out of 243 in the state as per the seat-sharing arrangement with the state's ruling NDA partners.

The list retains a majority of the sitting MLAs with the signal being one of stability as far as the nominations go. The party is not willing to take too many risks.

The list has nine women candidates out of 71, which makes women's representation a meagre 12 per cent.

Also in the list are senior BJP Bihar leaders Renu Devi, Tarakishor Prasad, Niti

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