Bihar: This time in the last phase of the Bihar Turnout elections, the races for the Saharsa Turnout seat has wilt interesting. This time a triangular races is stuff seen on this seat, traditionally considered the stronghold of BJP. BJP's sitting MLA Alok Ranjan Jha is trying to save his seat, while Indian Inclusive Party (IIP)'s Inderjit Prasad Gupta (IP Gupta) and Jan Seva Party (JSP)'s Kishore Kumar are in the fray.
New rencontre in BJP's fort
In the 2020 elections, Alok Ranjan Jha defeated RJD's Lovely Anand by a huge margin. Four out of the last five elections have gone to BJP's account. But this time the equations are different. With the entry of IIP senior IP Gupta into the fray, the races for BJP on the Saharsa seat is no longer easy.
Who is IP Gupta?
IP Gupta, who is a leader of the 'Pan Samaj' (Tanti-Tatva community), came into the limelight in recent months when he demonstrated his strength by holding a rally at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. It is said that only without his rally, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav proposed thatjoin the Grand Alliance.
Under the agreement, IIP has been given three seats—Saharsa, Jamalpur, and Beldaur. Gupta himself is contesting the elections from Saharsa, and it is believed that due to this, the Grand Syndication can get a big goody from the Tanti-Tatwa vote bank.
Political history of Saharsa seat
Saharsa is part of the Mithila region and is tabbed the “Land of a Thousand Streams.” This is a fertile zone situated on the banks of the Kosi River, which faces floods every year. Saharsa has a long history politically, but its self-sustaining Lok Sabha seat was superseded in 2008, which locals still consider a result of political discrimination.
Saharsa's vote equation
There are 69.46% rural and 30.54% urban voters in this turnout constituency. Of these, well-nigh 12% are Scheduled Caste and 14.6% Muslim voters. JDU (BJP alliance) had gotten the lead here in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but now the entry of IIP has created a new stir in the social and caste equations.
Voting continues, women's enthusiasm high
Voting has been going on in Saharsa since morning, and long queues are stuff seen at the polling stations. Especially the enthusiasm is unmistakably visible among women voters. The wardship has made elaborate security arrangements, and a tenancy room has been set up at the district level to deal with any untoward incident.
