Bihar elections: Purnia, Bhagalpur and Kosi hold the key

PATNA: Kosi, Purnia and Bhagalpur divisions of eastern Bihar, where NDA drew a blank in the Lok Sabha polls losing all eight seats to the NCP , RJD, JD(U) and Congress, are likely to be the deciding factor in the assembly elections next month.

With the NCP exiting from the grand alliance of JD(U), RJD and Congress, and Pappu Yadav, who won Madhepura Lok Sabha seat on an RJD ticket, forming a new party , it will be difficult for the grand alliance to save its fort.

NCP's Tariq Anwar represents Katihar in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP from Supaul, Ranjita Ranjan, is Pappu's wife. Political observers said Muslim and Yadav votes will be divided this time as Pappu and Anwar will use all their might to win maximum seats in the region. "The three divisions have 50 assembly seats and if the BJP manages to take advantage of the division of secular votes, the NDA may have a comfortable position in the new assembly," said retired political science teacher R P Singh. "This is why the NDA organized two of the four 'Parivartan' rallies of PM Narendra Modi in Saharsa and Bhagalpur. The huge turnout in the two rallies has set the ball rolling in favour of NDA, but it will be too early to jump to any conclusion because the alignment of NCP and Pappu is not clear," Singh added.

Krishna Mohan Mishra, retired political science professor, said the seats have substantial minority population and they may not hesitate to vote for RLSP and LJP .