Battle for Buxar: RJD Smells Blood

In this video, we delve into the intense political battle unfolding in Buxar as the RJD smells blood while the BJP bets on a new face. Join us for a comprehensive analysis of the strategies, risks, and potential outcomes of this high-stakes election showdown.

Politics May 29, 2024 0 58 Add to Reading List

RJD senses an opportunity as BJP banks on a fresh face in the Buxar stronghold.

The BJP has replaced its incumbent MP, Union Minister Ashwini Choubey, with former MLA Mithlesh Tiwari, who will compete against RJD's Sudhakar Singh.

Buxar is just 125 kilometers away from Varanasi, the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP candidate Mithilesh Tiwari, who is contesting for the first time, is relying on this proximity to Varanasi to secure victory in what is shaping up to be a three-way competition.

The incumbent MP, Union Minister Ashwini Choubey, who won the Buxar Lok Sabha seat in 2014, was overlooked by the BJP this time in favor of Tiwari, a former MLA from Baikunthpur in Gopalganj district.

A comparison with Varanasi strikes a sensitive chord among the voters of Buxar. "Even for medical treatment, people have to go to Varanasi. Our representatives didn’t provide Buxar with what it deserved," remarks Ramanand Mishra, a retired teacher.

Suman Kumar, who studies in Varanasi, describes Buxar as "a developmental desert." "It could have been a satellite town of Varanasi, but the fate of the 'Namami Gange' project says it all," he adds, pointing to an open British-era drain flowing directly into the Ganga at Nath Baba ghat, just opposite the SDO’s residence.

Buxar has traditionally been a stronghold of the BJP, which has only lost the seat once since 1996. Bihar RJD chief Jagdanand Singh won in 2009, though he was defeated by Choubey in both 2014 and 2019.

This time, Jagdanand Singh’s son and former Bihar agriculture minister Sudhakar Singh is contesting on the RJD ticket as the INDIA bloc nominee. He is a first-time MLA from Ramgarh in Buxar and is quite active and vocal on agriculture and local issues. His strong criticism of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s agriculture roadmaps led to his departure from the Grand Alliance (GA) government, but it only made him more outspoken.

“Buxar has supported the BJP for so long, but what has the BJP given to Buxar? Ramgarh can attest to my performance in my first term as MLA, and I will work even harder for Buxar,” says Sudhakar, who has been campaigning extensively across the constituency by road, air, and even water. A few days ago, he also organized a boat rally.

Both the BJP and RJD are cautious due to the complexities on the ground. Anand Mishra, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from Assam, who hails from Buxar and took voluntary retirement to enter politics, has added another dimension to the contest by making it three-cornered. Initially eyeing a BJP ticket, Mishra chose to contest independently after being denied one.

For BJP candidate Tiwari, aside from the charisma of the Prime Minister, things don't seem to be going smoothly on the ground. Choubey has been noticeably absent from the constituency throughout. However, the Prime Minister visited Buxar on May 25, and many other BJP leaders have been actively campaigning.

“This election is not just about electing an MP, but about electing a Prime Minister. It is an election to form a strong government,” Modi declared during his rally in Buxar.

RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, campaigning for Sudhakar, commented, “BJP’s unfounded optimism will ring hollow in Bihar, and Buxar will reveal how their stronghold crumbles.”

The Opposition is targeting Tiwari, a native of Gopalganj, by labeling him an "outsider." Additionally, Mishra's candidacy has disrupted the caste equation for him, as he is drawing support from the dominant Brahmin community.

Recognizing the challenge, the BJP has brought out its heavyweights. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, both Rajputs, have addressed rallies here, potentially affecting Sudhakar Singh's Rajput vote bank, as Rajputs have traditionally supported RJD.

All six Assembly segments in the Buxar parliamentary constituency are held by opposition parties — three by RJD (Brahmapur, Ramgarh, and Dinara), two by Congress (Rajpur and Buxar), and one by CPI-ML (Dumraon). This gives the opposition a realistic chance. "If Sudhakar cannot win from here this time, when will he win?" questioned Ramanand Singh, a farmer in Buxar.

Sudhakar Singh has been particularly vocal on agriculture issues. Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait has also visited Buxar multiple times at his invitation and addressed farmers. However, he faces competition from rebel candidate Dadan Pehelwan, a former RJD MLA running as an Independent. Locals believe Pehelwan may only eat into Sudhakar’s votes to some extent without significantly impacting the outcome.

Bahujan Samajwadi Party’s Anil Kumar is another candidate who could disrupt the calculations for others. With over two dozen candidates in the fray, their presence could sway the fortunes of the main contenders.

"The battle will ultimately come down to BJP versus RJD. If Anand Mishra had contested on a BJP ticket, it would have been easier. BJP has a strong base here, but Sudhakar is perceived as hardworking and well-intentioned. Let's see who emerges victorious. Voting preferences can change overnight here," remarked Surendra Kumar of Dinara.