Madhepura, one of the key Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar, recorded 59.12% polling on Tuesday. Here, veteran politician and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Sharad Yadav is locked in a triangular contest with Dinesh Chandra Yadav of the Janata Dal (United) and suspended RJD MP, Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, who is contesting as an Independent.
Former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav, has won the Madhepura seat four times between 1991 and 2009. He is fighting, what is seen, as his toughest election this time with the support of his foe-turned-friend Lalu Prasad, the RJD chief.
Madhepura is considered an RJD stronghold with sizeable population of Yadavs. In 2014, Pappu Yadav had won the seat.
The RJD is part of the opposition Grand Alliance of the Congress, Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP).
A win for Sharad Yadav, according to observers, would help him stay politically relevant. A loss would push him into political oblivion given the fact that his newly floated outfit, Loktantrik Janata Dal, has a marginal base in the state.
The seat is also important for chief minister Nitish Kumar, who has thrown his weight behind the JD(U) nominee, Dinesh Chandra Yadav. Madhepura is seen as a prestige issue for the CM and Sharad Yadav, both of whom had long been close associates before parting ways few years ago.
{{/usCountry}}The seat is also important for chief minister Nitish Kumar, who has thrown his weight behind the JD(U) nominee, Dinesh Chandra Yadav. Madhepura is seen as a prestige issue for the CM and Sharad Yadav, both of whom had long been close associates before parting ways few years ago.
{{/usCountry}}Ranjan’s campaign was marred by controversy over RJD cadres not backing her because of her husband and rebel MP Pappu Yadav’s strained relations with Lalu Prasad. Even opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav had skipped an election rally addressed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi to canvass support for Ranjan at Supaul a few days ago.