This story is from October 11, 2020

Minister faces ‘turncoat’ in Banka

Minister faces ‘turncoat’ in Banka
BANKA: The Banka assembly constituency, once represented by former CM (Congress) Chandrashekhar Singh, has been favouring either BJP or RJD since 1990. Late Singh had served the state as CM from August 1983 to March 1985.
With problems galore, Banka is currently represented in the assembly by Ram Narayan Mandal of BJP, minister of revenue and land reforms.
Mandal has been nominated again by BJP. RJD, on the other hand, has fielded former minister Javed Iqbal Ansari in Banka.
Earlier, the Congress had won the Banka seat in 1952, 1957, 1969, 1972, 1980 and 1985. Late Singh, who had won from Banka in 1980, became CM on August 14, 1983 and held the chair till March 12, 1985.
Swaraj Party candidate Braj Mohan Singh had won from Banka in 1962. Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) candidate B L Mandal had won the seat by defeating his Congress rival in 1967. In 1977, Janata Party candidate Siddheshwar Prasad Singh had emerged victorious from Banka.
Since 1990, the electoral contest in Banka assembly segment has narrowed down between either BJP or Janata Dal and RJD.
Locals said the assembly constituency is beset by several issues, including collapse of a bridge over the Chandan river that has obstructed the movement of vehicles and people from Bhagalpur.
Ashwini Kumar Jha, a lawyer and resident of Bounsi block in the district, said good schools and colleges should come up in the constituency for better education of children. “Only one constituent college (PBS College) was established in 1968,” he lamented.
Banka resident Manoj Upadhyaya said other major issues in Banka assembly constituency are resurrection of Orhni Jalashaya Yojana (formulated in 1973 but could not serve purpose) for irrigation, establishment of women’s government college, rampant illegal sand mining, encroachments in city areas, inadequate drinking water supply and unplanned development.
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