On Saturday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched his campaign for the upcoming Assembly by-elections in Bihar, set to take place on November 13. Kumar is focusing his efforts on rallying support in the Tarari and Ramgarh constituencies, key battlegrounds in the state’s political landscape.
JD(U) Leaders Join the Campaign
Kumar is not alone in his campaigning efforts. He will be joined by JD(U) National Working President Sanjay Jha and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary. Together, they will further campaign with the backing of senior BJP leaders and other NDA allies. On November 10, the Chief Minister’s tour will extend to Belaganj and Imamganj, where he will rally support for BJP candidates in these crucial constituencies.
Key Contests in Tarari and Ramgarh
In Tarari, the BJP has fielded Vishal Prashant, the son of former muscleman Sunil Pandey, who has a strong local influence. Sunil Pandey, running as an independent candidate, had lost the 2020 elections to CPI(ML) candidate Sudama Prasad by a margin of 13,000 votes.
The Tarari seat became vacant after Sudama Prasad transitioned to national politics as an MP, prompting the BJP to nominate Prashant to tap into his family’s established political clout. Prashant will face off against a strong CPI(ML) candidate in the bypolls, making the contest highly competitive.
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Meanwhile, in Ramgarh, the BJP has nominated Ashok Kumar Singh, who will take on Ajit Kumar, the son of RJD state president Jagdanand Singh. The Singh family wields considerable influence in Ramgarh, with Jagdanand Singh’s elder son, Sudhakar Singh, having won the seat in 2020 before moving on to a national role. With the Singh family’s stronghold, BJP faces a tough challenge in securing the seat for the NDA.
Campaign Push in Belaganj and Imamganj
On Sunday, Nitish Kumar’s campaign will focus on Belaganj and Imamganj. In Belaganj, JD(U) candidate Manorama Devi is contesting, while in Imamganj, Deepa Manjhi, daughter-in-law of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, is in the race. Imamganj is the only NDA-held seat among the four up for election, which was vacated after Jitan Ram Manjhi became an MP from Gaya.
High Stakes for NDA and Mahagathbandhan
The upcoming by-elections are critical for both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan, as each alliance seeks to strengthen its foothold in these influential constituencies. The entry of Jan Suraaj, led by Prashant Kishor, has added a new dimension to the contest. Kishor and his team are working to garner support, adding to the intrigue of the election.
On the other side, the Mahagathbandhan, led by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, is also intensifying its campaign efforts. With both alliances pushing hard to secure these seats, the upcoming by-elections are shaping up to be a high-stakes battle for political dominance in Bihar.
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