Shakeel of Congress may contest from Madhubani

PATNA: Grand Alliance (GA) in Bihar is set for another jerk after senior Congress leader Dr Shakeel Ahmad on Wednesday decided to contest from Madhubani, a seat allotted to another alliance partner Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). Shakeel’s supporters even bought the nomination papers, commonly known as nazir receipt (NR), on Wednesday. Madhubani will vote in the 5th phase on May 6.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s elder son Tej Pratap Yadav has already announced to field his own candidates against official party nominees from Sheohar amd Jehanabad.
Congress MLA Amit Kumar Tunna has also expressed his desire to contest from Sheohar. He has sought permission from his party for friendly fight in Sheohar Lok Sabha seat allotted to RJD.
Talking to TOI over phone, Shakeel said he was ready for a friendly contest from Madhubani. He then cited the example of Chatra Lok Sabha constituency in Jharkhand, which though was given to Congress, but RJD has also fielded its candidate there. Shakeel said such friendly fights do take place in alliances and do not harm the coalition, or impact the election results.
Shakeel, who had won the Madhubani Lok Sabha seat in 1998 and 2004, said he had faith in the party leadership and he was confident enough to win from there. However, he refused to say what will be his stand if Congress did not allow him to contest on its symbol. “This is a hypothetical question,” he said, adding, “I have got the report from media that our state party in charge Shaktisinh Gohil is also considering the idea of a friendly fight.”
Bihar Congress spokesperson Rajesh Rathore said the party had yet not taken any decision on a friendly fight from Madhubani.
Madhubani, just like Aurangabad, Darbhanga, Begusarai and Karakat, had been the bone of contention for GA since beginning. Both RJD and Congress were rigid on this seat. But VIP chief Mukesh Sahni got it as compensation for Darbhanga where senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui has been fielded. VIP has fielded Badri Kumar Purve from Madhubani.
Election for Madhubani seat was notified on Wednesday and nomination papers will be filed up to April 18.