55 Candidates to Contest, Promising Politics of Transparency and Progress
In a joint press conference at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi, the Janhit Dal, veterans of the JP Movement, and the Janata Party officially announced the formation of the Bihar Development Alliance (BDA) to contest the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections. Prominent leaders, including Dr. Suraj Mandal, Anshumman Joshi, and Navneet Chaturvedi, were present at the event.
The alliance revealed that it will field candidates in 55 seats, establishing itself as a third front in Bihar’s political landscape. The BDA seeks to offer voters a transparent, development-oriented, and people-centric alternative.
Anshumman Joshi, National President of Janhit Dal, stated, “In today’s political environment, the voices of ordinary citizens and minorities are often ignored. To address this, the alliance has established a National Minority Committee to ensure political representation for Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and other communities.”
Navneet Chaturvedi, President of the Janata Party, criticized so-called secular parties for merely seeking minority votes without offering them meaningful leadership roles. He stressed that the Bihar Development Alliance will empower minority youth, including Muslims, to actively engage in politics and lead their communities.
Dr. Suraj Mandal, a former MP and veteran of the JP Movement, remarked, “The people of Bihar are ready for change. Those who underestimate this alliance will soon see its strength. Veterans experienced in leading major movements, such as the Jharkhand Statehood movement, are now prepared to bring revolutionary change to Bihar as well.”
During the event, Asgar Khan added, “Our fight is not driven by stubbornness, but by principles. When principles are at stake, confrontation is essential – and that is the true measure of patriotism.”
The leaders also unveiled a symbolic “potli” (bundle), representing the delivery of their promises and vision to the public. They described this “Potli of Change” as containing a new path for Bihar’s future, including authentic representation for minorities, corruption-free governance, and development-focused politics. The leaders noted that this potli will now be carried from house to house to build public awareness and form the foundation of their election campaign.
