Araria, Bihar: Seemanchal is going to have a power-pack Friday to mark the birth anniversary of its former MP late Mohammad Taslimuddin. This occasion is expected to have the presence of prominent faces such as- Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of Opposition, Bihar Assembly, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) rebel MP Shatrughan Sinha and former JNUSU president, Kanhaiya Kumar. Along with them Hindustan Awam Morch (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi and Mukesh Sahni of Vikasheel Insaf Party (VIP) are also expected to join the event.
The event is organised by the sitting MP of Araria, Sarfaraz Alam who is also the eldest son of late Taslimuddin. The absence of Taslimuddin is to be felt deeply. His political acumen was such that even during the time when NDA at their best won 31 out 40 Bihar seats in 2014 polls, Taslimuddin won Araria to add to the RJD’s tally of four seats.
The event is going to be held at the Subhash Chandra Bose stadium. The meeting will be used as an opportunity to counter the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in upcoming general elections. It is also said that during this mega show of strength, Sarfaraz Alam will be projected as the political heir of Taslimuddin.
Muslims have a near decisive presence in Kishanganj, Purnia, Araria and Katihar, which comprise the Seemanchal region. Presence of Muslims in Kishanganj is nearly 69%, in Purnia 39%, in Araria 40% and in Katihar 30%. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Katihar seat was won by NCP; Araria by RJD, Kishangunj by Congress, and Purnia by JD (U). The demographic distribution and past result indicate high chances of Mahagathbandhan’s victory.
In 2015 assembly election, the grand alliance, then comprising JD(U), RJD and the Congress, had won 29 out of the 37 seats in Seemanchal and Kosi regions. Of these, the JD(U) had won 14, RJD 7 and Congress 8 seats. The BJP could win only 7 seats while one seat went in favour of CPI (ML).
Apart from Mahagathbandhan, leaders of Trinamool Congress from West Bengal may attend the event.
