Patna, Bihar: As Bihar politics is gearing up for 2019 Lok Sabha polls, political jibe on opponents is the growing trend. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is ready with seat distribution among allies while Mahagathbandhan is in preparation of sharing seats among allies, in midst of competitive politics, a remark from the elder son of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav is making rounds.
Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency has become a topic of hot debate. During Janata Darbar held by Tej Pratap Yadav, while addressing the media persons he was asked about the Pataliputra parliamentary seat and its contender to which he replied by openly ridiculing Bhai Virendra, RJD MLA from Maner.
“For this seat, my elder sister Misa Bharti is working hard day and night, so she remains the sole contender. Bhai Virendra’s stature is not that of my sister,” said Tej Pratap Yadav.
Some time ago, Bhai Virendra expressed that if the party allows him to context 2019 elections from this seat, he would opt for it.
Tejashwi Yadav blames Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for spreading rumours of rift within family
Until 2008, there was only one Lok Sabha seat for Patna, the capital of Bihar. In the reorganisation effected that year, the city was awarded two seats, named Pataliputra (after city’s ancient name) and Patna Sahib. Pataliputra has six assembly constituencies. Out of a total electorate of 16.5 lakh, Yadavs have outnumbered Bhumihars population wise but this did not benefit RJD in recent past. In 2009 general elections, Lalu Yadav lost to JDU’s Ranjan Prasad Yadav. In 2014 elections, on this particular seat, veteran RJD leader Ram Kripal Yadav was denied ticket instead Lalu’s eldest daughter Misa Bharti became the party’s candidate. After this Ram Kripal Yadav deflected to the BJP and the net result was Misa Bharti lost in her father’s pocket borough with a margin of 40,322 votes.
Tej Pratap Yadav, a dark horse or a front runner?
Pataliputra seat, this time may acknowledge a thorn fight within RJD as Tejashwi Yadav is reported to back Bhai Virendra’s candidature and Tej Pratap has openly taken a stand for elder sister Misa Bharti. Two blocks within RJD may erupt as a challenge for Mahagathbandhan as a whole. As per reports, supporters of Misa Bharti have started putting up placards and posters in Pataliputra constituency conveying New Year and Makarsankranti wishes. At present Misa Bharti is a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar.
The differences in the RJD camp have become prominent on the issue of candidature for Pataliputra Lok Sabha seat. The political battle is turning out to be a family battle first.
