By Alok Mohit and Neeraj Kumar
Patna, May 18: In the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a number of Independent candidates have emerged as strong contenders, posing a significant challenge to the nominees of prominent political parties such as the RJD, BJP, and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) in Bihar. These Independent candidates are proving to be formidable opponents, challenging established party candidates and gaining substantial public support.
In the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, NDA candidates dominated the seats in Bihar, capitalizing on the popularity of Narendra Modi. The NDA secured 32 seats in 2014, which increased to 39 in 2019. This time, the NDA, consisting of BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), and HAM (S), aims to secure victory in all 40 seats. However, certain Independent candidates are now posing a serious threat to both the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan, which includes the RJD, Congress, and Left parties as alliance partners.
Prominent Independent candidates include Pappu Yadav in Purnia, Binod Yadav and Gunjan Singh in Nawada, Heena Shahab and Jeevan Yadav in Siwan, Chokar Baba in Saran, Ashutosh Kumar in Jehanabad, Bhojpuri film star Pawan Singh in Karakat, and former IPS officer Anand Mishra and Dadan Pahalwan in Buxar.
Key Constituencies and Independent Candidates:
- Purnia: Pappu Yadav has made a strong presence, challenging both NDA and Mahagathbandhan candidates.
- Nawada: Binod Yadav has created problems for RJD candidate Shravan Kushwaha, while Gunjan Singh poses a challenge for NDA candidate Vivek Thakur.
- Siwan: The Siwan seat is highly contested, with strongman Shahabuddin’s wife Hina Shahab and Jeevan Yadav as Independent candidates. NDA has fielded Vijayalakshmi, and Awadh Bihari Chaudhary is the Mahagathbandhan candidate.
- Buxar: Buxar has 27 Independent candidates, with BJP’s Mithilesh Tiwari and RJD’s Sudhakar Singh facing tough competition from former IPS officer Anand Mishra and former minister Dadan Pahalwan.
- Jehanabad: Jehanabad has the maximum number of Independent candidates. Ashutosh Kumar is disrupting the plans of both NDA’s Chandeshwar Chandravanshi and RJD’s Surendra Yadav.
- Karakat: Karakat remains a hot seat with Bhojpuri film actor Pawan Singh contesting as an Independent, impacting the prospects of both NDA’s Upendra Kushwaha and Mahagathbandhan’s Rajaram.
RJD spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed has accused the ruling party of strategically using Independent candidates but remains confident that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s policies will secure victory for the Mahagathbandhan. Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel insists that the Modi wave remains strong and predicts victory for NDA candidates in all 40 seats.
Senior journalist Praveen Bagi notes that Independent candidates are presenting a tough challenge in several constituencies, with anti-incumbency factors playing a significant role. Discontent with the current MPs is leading voters to consider Independent candidates as viable alternatives.
Bihar sends 40 members to the Lok Sabha, and 19 constituencies have already voted in the ongoing elections held in four phases between April 19 and May 13. Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Saran, and Hajipur are the five Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar that will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 20. The state, along with Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, is voting in all seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections.
