Former Member of Parliament Rajesh Ranjan, famously known as Pappu Yadav, made headlines in Bihar politics on Monday by announcing his intention to file nomination papers for the Purnea constituency.
Yadav, who recently joined the Indian National Congress party, revealed his decision just a day before the scheduled nomination filing by Bima Bharti, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate for the same seat. This move adds an intriguing twist to the electoral landscape of Bihar, known for its complex political dynamics and shifting alliances.
Having merged his Jan Adhikar Party with the Congress, Pappu Yadav's announcement underscored his determination to contest from Purnea, a constituency he previously represented thrice in the 1990s. Yadav's decision to throw his hat into the ring comes after months of intense campaigning under the banner of 'Pranam Purnea', aimed at re-establishing his political foothold in the region.
The timing of Yadav's announcement, strategically made on social media platform X, highlighted the significance he attaches to the support garnered from the people of Purnea. Yadav emphasised that due to overwhelming public demand, the date for filing his nomination papers had been rescheduled from June 2 to June 4 to accommodate the participation of his supporters.
However, Yadav's bid for the Purnea seat faces a challenge from the RJD, which had already allocated the constituency to its candidate, Bima Bharti. The seat-sharing arrangement between the RJD and the Congress was finalised after the conclusion of nomination filings for the first phase of elections in Bihar.
This decision dealt a blow to Yadav's aspirations, who had hoped for the Congress's backing in what he envisioned as a 'friendly fight' for Purnea.
Expressing disappointment over the allocation of Purnea to the RJD, Pappu Yadav urged the party supremo, Lalu Prasad, to reconsider and offer the seat to the Congress for the greater unity of the coalition.
However, the state unit of the Congress distanced itself from Yadav's unilateral decision, indicating that disciplinary action could follow if he acted without the approval of the party leadership.
Yadav's decision to contest from Purnea injects fresh energy into the electoral landscape of Bihar, setting the stage for a potential showdown within the alliance.
As the state gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, all eyes will be on the unfolding dynamics in Purnea, where Yadav's bid promises to add an intriguing chapter to Bihar's political narrative.
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