High-Stakes Battle for Magadh Division
The political fate of Magadh division's 26 assembly constituencies across five districts will be decided on Tuesday in a crucial electoral contest that holds significant implications for both the NDA and INDIA bloc alliances. While the INDIA bloc aims to maintain or even improve upon its impressive 2020 performance, the NDA faces the challenging task of substantially increasing its seat count in this critical region.
2020 Performance and Current Alliances
In the previous 2020 assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan secured a dominant position by winning 20 out of the 26 seats, leaving the NDA with just six constituencies. The JD(U) failed to make any impact during that election cycle, drawing a complete blank across the entire division.
Party-wise distribution reveals interesting dynamics in the current electoral battle. The RJD is contesting the maximum number of 20 seats in the division, demonstrating its strong presence in the region. The BJP follows with eight constituencies, while JD(U) is fighting in seven seats. Other significant players include LJP (RV) in six constituencies, HAM (S) in five, Congress in four, and CPI (ML) in two assembly segments.
Political observers in Magadh note that RJD, BJP, JD(U), and CPI (ML) possess strong organizational bases in the region. In contrast, parties such as Congress, LJP (RV), and HAM (S) are largely dependent on their alliance partners for electoral success.
Key Constituencies and High-Profile Contests
The Belaganj constituency in Gaya district has emerged as the most closely watched contest in the entire division. The main contenders - Manorma Devi of JD(U) and Vishvanath Yadav of RJD - present an evenly matched battle in terms of support base, financial resources, muscle power, and family background.
Manorma Devi carries the legacy of being the widow of Bindi Yadav from the once-notorious Bachchu-Bindi gang, known for convictions under the Crime Control Act. Her opponent, Vishvanath Yadav, is the son of Surendra Prasad Yadav, who gained notoriety in a custodial kidnapping case.
Another significant aspect of the Magadh elections involves Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who has concentrated his efforts on just two constituencies - his own and that of prominent Bhumihar leader Arun Kumar. This strategic focus comes as three members of the Arun Kumar family are contesting under the NDA banner.
Manjhi allocated general seat tickets to Arun Kumar's brother and nephew, while Arun Kumar's son is contesting the Ghosi seat as a JD(U) candidate from Jehanabad district. Political analysts suggest that the assembly outcome will significantly influence Manjhi's future role and relevance within the NDA. His party's lack of recognition by the Election Commission, combined with his advanced age, raises questions about its long-term viability.
Individual Battles and Social Dynamics
In Gaya town, Prem Kumar, the eight-time winner and cooperative minister in the Nitish Kumar government, faces the most challenging electoral battle of his nearly four-decade-long political career. Congress candidate Akhauri Onkar Nath, also known as Mohan Srivastava, once considered an underdog, has transformed into a formidable challenger threatening the veteran MLA's eight-election winning streak.
The electoral landscape also showcases interesting social and gender dynamics. In four constituencies, including Imamganj and Warisaliganj, both main contenders are women. Six seats, such as Aurangabad, Belaganj, and Wazirganj, feature contests where both leading candidates belong to the same caste.
In Aurangabad and Wazirganj, both contenders are Rajputs, while Belaganj and Nawada present Yadav versus Yadav contests. Bodh Gaya sees both main contestants from the Paswan community, and Barachatti has candidates from the Musahar caste.
The election also features experienced participants like Awadhesh Kumar Singh, Congress candidate from Wazirganj in Gaya district, who first contested and won as a Congress candidate back in 1980, bringing decades of political experience to the current electoral fray.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots, the Magadh division results will not only determine the political landscape of the region but also set the tone for future political alignments in Bihar, making this one of the most significant electoral battles in the current assembly elections.
