Before the Bihar assembly elections, the stir in the politics of the state has intensified. Till now, where the main contest was believed to be between the NDA and India alliance, now the outside parties are also entering the electoral fray. Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad’s party Azad Samaj Party Kanshi Ram of Uttar Pradesh has also announced to show power in Bihar.
Preparations to fight 100 seats, declared in charge on 60
On Wednesday, Azad Samaj Party state president Johar Azad in Patna said in a press conference that the party will field its candidates in 100 assembly seats in Bihar. He informed that assembly in -charge has also been appointed in 60 of these 100 seats and preparations are in the final stages.
Challenge directly to the grand alliance on 46 seats
The party claims that 46 of the 100 seats where it will contest the election will be directly contested by the Grand Alliance. Johar Azad said that the party’s organizational preparations are complete in all these seats up to the booth level. He accused the Grand Alliance of not carrying all sections along, due to which there is dissatisfaction in the public.
The party has announced that the National Convention of Azad Samaj Party will be held in Patna on 21 July. Party chief Chandra Shekhar Azad himself will attend this session and will finalize the party’s strategy for Bihar elections.
Reversal of LJP (Ram Vilas)- ‘No difference will not make’
LJP (Ram Vilas) has reacted to this announcement of Chandra Shekhar Azad’s party. Party spokesperson Shashi Bhushan Prasad said that everyone has the right to contest elections in democracy, but this will not make any difference to his party. He claimed that the Dalit society stands firmly with Chirag Paswan and Chirag Paswan has emerged as the biggest leader of Dalits.
What do experts say?
Political analysts believe that Chandra Shekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party will try to strengthen its hold on the Dalit vote bank, especially Ravidas society in Bihar. Senior journalist Santosh Kumar says that like UP, Chandra Shekhar Azad will try to make a dent in Mayawati’s vote bank.
According to him, Ravidas voters have been the core voters of Mayawati and CPI (Male) so far. But if Chandra Shekhar Azad managed to connect some of these parts with him, then it can suffer direct loss to the Grand Alliance, especially RJD. Santosh Kumar said that if Chandra Shekhar Azad also takes 500 to 1000 votes, then the equation can change in many seats.
‘NDA will not suffer loss, vote bank is separated’
The expert also says that the NDA will not have any direct loss from Chandra Shekhar Azad’s party as Ravidas and Paswan voters stand on different political poles. Paswan voters are with NDA and Chirag Paswan’s grip is still considered strong.