Turncoats make battle interesting in Saran

CHHAPRA: There are many turncoats in the fray in Saran district, which has 10 assembly segments. Altogether 144 candidates are trying their lick from the 10 seats, which go to the polls on November 3.
EKMA: It was once known for brass and bronze industry and also for ‘Prasadi Nath Math’ at Parsagarh where great scholar Rahul Sankrityayan had his early education.After its creation, Manoranjan Singh alias Dhumal Singh of JD(U) represented this constituency in 2010 and 2015. This time his wife Sita Devi is the JD(U) nominee. Kameshwar Singh, who contested on RJD ticket in 2010 and as a BJP candidate in 2015, is in the fray from LJP. RJD has fielded a comparatively new but local player Sri Kant Yadav. The contest is likely to be triangular.
MANJHI: Vijai Shankar Dubey of Congress defeated Keshav Singh of LJP by 8,866 votes in 2015. This time CPM has got the seat as the Mahagathbandhan partner. It has fielded Satyendra Yadav, a student leader of his time, against JD(U)’s Madhvi Kumari, president of the party’s women cell. Dominated by Rajputs, Brahmins and Yadavs, this constituency is likely to see a triangular contest. Madhvi has been convincing the voters about the development done by the Centre and state government.
BANIAPUR: Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) has got the seat as NDA partner this time. Tarkeshwar Singh of BJP and Birendra Ojha of JD(U) failed to get tickets and contesting on LJP and VIP ticket, respectively. Tarkeshwar and Birendra along with 11 others are pitted against sitting RJD MLA Kedar Nath Singh, the younger brother of former MP Prabhu Nath Singh, who is in jail. Waterlogging, unemployment, migration, lack of industrialization and college for women are some of the election issues in this constituency.
TARAIYA: Once considered as the ‘mini Chittorgarh’ of Saran district, its original nature changed after delimitation and now it is dominated by Rajputs and Yadavs. Mudrika Prasad Rai of RJD was elected in 2015 but the party this time has given ticket to Sipahi Lal Mahto. Mudrika and Shailendra Pratap Singh, JD(U) state secretary, are contesting as rebels. BJP has fielded Janak Singh, who represented the seat in 2010 but lost to Mudrika in 2015.
MARHAURA: There are 22 candidates in the fray. JD(U) has fielded Altaf Ahmed Raju against RJD MLA Jitendra Kumar Rai, who is trying to make a hat-trick this time. Candidates from RLSP, BSP, LJP and independents are trying hard to break the M-Y equation.
CHHAPRA: Sitting BJP MLA C N Gupta is facing challenge from Randhir Kumar Singh of RJD. Dr Vijaya Rani Singh, RJD rebel Sunil Rai and 13 others are in the fray. Randhir, who had lost to Dr Gupta in 2015, is the son of former Maharajganj MP Prabhu Nath Singh.
GARKHA(R): Known for freedom fighter Jaglal Choudhary and his son Indradeo Choudhary, Muneshwar Choudhary of RJD had defeated Gyan Chand Manjhi of BJP in Garkha in 2015. But RJD has fielded Surendra Ram this time while Muneshwar is contesting on JAP-Loktantrik ticket. The contest appears to be between BJP and RJD.
AMNOUR: Amnour was also created after delimitation in 2008. In 2010, Krishna Kumar Singh of JD(U) won the seat but in 2015, Shatrughan Tiwari alias Chokar Baba of BJP won. BJP has dropped Chokar Baba and given ticket to Krishna Kumar, who left JD(U). Chokar Baba is also contesting as an independent candidate. There are 14 candidates from here.
PARSA: This constituency has been represented by former CM Daroga Prasad Rai, his wife Parvati Devi and son Chandrika Prasad Rai 14 times. Only in 1977, Ramanand Rai had won from here. Thereafter, Chhote Lal Rai of JD(U) defeated Chandrika of RJD in 2005 and 2010. But in 2015, Chandrika defeated Chhote. This time, Chhote is contesting from RJD while Chandrika is the JD(U) candidate. LJP has fielded Rakesh Kumar Singh, who is made it a triangular contest. Altogether 10 candidates are in the fray.
SONEPUR: Famous for Harihar Kshetra Mela, this constituency is dominated by Yadavs and Rajputs. Vinay Kumar Singh of BJP, who had lost to Ramanuj Prasad of RJD, has the same opponent again. However, electrification of Aquilpur village, sanction of another bridge over the Ganga at Dighwara and many other facilities may change the voters’ mood this time. There are 15 candidates in the fray.