Lok Sabha Elections 2019: BJP woos dissident Bhumihar leaders in Bihar ahead of third phase

The party, of late, has been facing dissidence in several parliamentary constituencies including Valmikinagar and Saran.

In a knee-jerk reaction and amidst going resentment in the party from the dominant Bhumihar community, the BJP on Friday tried to assuage the hurt sentiments of community by assuring to address their demands of giving then ‘adequate representation” in Rajya Sabha and Assembly.

BJP leader and Bihar In charge Bhupender Yadav with others speaking to media in Patna Bihar India on Friday(Photo by A P Dube/Hindustan Times)

The party, of late, has been facing dissidence in several parliamentary constituencies including Valmikinagar and Saran. The Valmikinagar sitting BJP MP, Satish Chandra Dubey had announced to contest as an independent after the seat went to JD (U) in seat-sharing agreement. Similarly, party MLC Sachchidanad Rai has also announced to contest as an Independent after his claims for ticket was overlooked.

“The party national president Amit Shah had a detailed talk with these two leaders in presence of Rajya Sabha MP C P Thakur and it has been decided that Bhumihar community would be adequately accommodated in Rajya Sabha and Assembly election. Whatever anomalies were left in ticket distribution will be addressed,” said BJP national general secretary and Bihar in-charge, Bhupendra Yadav.

Party sources said that the BJP was taken aback after one of its state vice president Putul Kumari defied the alliance stand and contested from Banka as an Independent, thereby jeorpardising the JD (U) candidates chances. “The party did not want to take any risk and reacted immediately in these two places,” said a BJP leader.

A section of BJP leaders feel that the upper castes have been given a poor deal by the NDA. While Bhumihars have been given just three seats (one each by the BJP, JD-U and the LJP), the Rajputs have got seven tickets, with BJP giving five of them.