Which would be more optimal?

option A
Cavalier - Me
Korgan
Anomen
Jan
Edwin
Neera

option B
Cavalier - Me
Keldorn
Anomen
Jan
Edwin
Neera

option C
Cavalier - Me
Korgan
Keldorn
Anomen
Edwin/Neera
Nalia

option D
Cavalier - Me
Anomen
Minsc [as archer]
Jan
Edwin
Neera

Does it make sense to enlist a specialized cleric/druid?
Same question on specialized thief [Hexxat]?
Any strategic advantage for Jaheira over Anomen - tredeoff between losing a frontliner vs. higher level spells?
Any advantage of a specialist archer - didnt find any in the manual - will have to model myself as one

Thanks.

-Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like your main question is this:
"Should I take Korgan, Keldorn, both (also swap Jan for Nalia), or Minsc?"

Korgan and Keldorn are both fine choices for front line work. Minsc should be fine as an archer, and even with primarily an archer build he can shore up your front line if it starts being overrun.
Korgan can use Berserk to gain some very useful immunities, while Keldorn can shatter magic defenses. Keldorn's abilities are probably more generally useful.

I'm guessing the Jan->Nalia swap in option C is because you want at least two characters that advance solely as mages? Personally, I'd keep Jan even in option C because I like having someone available that can keep advancing as a thief. However, Nalia should be able to solve most of your thief-based problems, though she'll need boosts from spells and items.

Anomen and Keldorn will eventually fight if (and only if) Anomen fails his test.
Looks like Anomen and Hexxat may get into a fight if both stay in the party.
Looks like there are difficulties having Neera and Edwin in the same party.

Overall, I'd say take Option C (but keep Jan instead of Nalia). Edwin is a more reliable caster than Neera, so I'd probably choose him over her.

-You don't need a single class cleric/druid. Feel free to take one along, but you don't need one. Any of the NPCs that level as a cleric or druid can serve as your primary healer.

-A specialized thief will be able to handle all of the pickable/disarmable locks/traps you come across (eventually). I like having one along for that assurance, but Imoen or Nalia can cover for you. You can probably deal with not having a thief at all, if you choose.

-Jaheira and Anomen can fill basically the same roles in the party. Take whichever one serves your fancy.

-The archer kit has a number of advantages when using bows (higher THAC0 and damage), but sacrifices melee ability for it. You still need someone(s) on the frontline to keep enemies off your softer party members, but an archer can reach out and touch any enemy in range.

think i will need 3 mages.. am feeling somewhat insecure without Baeloth :)
good to know abt neera edwin rivalry in advance


given the contraints think i will have to go with :
Korgan, Anomen, Jan, Edwin, Nalia.. Imoen looks redundant


SoD had the best NPC options.. if Jan would have been Glint, could have swapped Anomen for Minsc

Do what you have to do. :)
I'll note that Aerie and Imoen (who replaced Yoshimo in my party) were able to cover all my arcane casting needs. That said, If you want three mages, then by all means, take 3 mages. Enjoy yourself!

If any two characters are interchangeable, Nalia and Imoen are it. If you don't like one, the other can do virtually the same things. I seem to recall that Imoen is somewhat superior in most respects, but that is going off distant memory.

Just to add my two cents to that last sentence, he's exactly right. From a pure gameplay perspective, Nalia is just Imoen with worse thieving skills. The only advantage she has over Imoen is that she's available in Chapter 2, while you have to reach Chapter 4 to get Imoen back.

dunno abt imoen but think jan fulfills that role much better than nalia...
currently i am playing with

korgan
jaheira
minsc
jan
aerie

except jan i am confused abt everyone else :)
compared to bg1 in this game, somehow the cleric class seems more important. the enemies have suddenly become so good at hitting... have lost confidence in my strategies after that wizard in firkraags lair one shotted jan.. the learning curve is pretty bad for first timers..

no reloads yet, but still dont feel like i am in control.. came pretty close during jan's quest because that retard minsc was standing on the doorway and didnt allow anyone else to enter

In every stat. that matters, both Imoen and Nalia outclass Jan, especially Imoen, who has the best (legal) stats of any character in the trilogy. He's (Jan) a glass ornament.

i am looking at it from a role perspective
as a thief jan outclasses nalia.. hes too quick with detecting traps compared to nalia.. can open more locks and can cast spells
as a mage i dont see any difference between the three....all will be acting as support casters to edwin in the long run
so in a nutshell.. jan is too good as a thief and as good a support caster as either nalia or imoen [going by the prelude section]

and whatever little exposure i have had to baldurs gate.. stats dont matter much its the equipment that counts.. again i may be wrong w.r.t. bg2 :)

so jan comes across as a better choice freeing up a slot for another cleric [somehow i think this is the key class in this game.. unlike bg1] or a tank.

Good. Then go with whatever suits your role the best. Good luck.