Bihar polls: Rebels threaten to spoil fight for both alliances

By ​Sanjay Singh

PATNA: The thrust of major alliances to make it a direct contest between PM Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has given rise to unprecendented number of rebels.

While BJP has denied tickets to 16 MLAs, JD (U) has forgone its claim on more than 25 seats. Although RJD and JD(U) are still to make public their candidate list, the jittery MLAs have already started revolting against the party leadership.

The long list of ticket seekers is making matters worse for both the grand alliance and BJP-headed NDA.

On Tuesday, MLA from Chanpatia in West Champaran, Chandra Mohan, revolted against the BJP's decision to give ticket to Prakash Roy. Five-time MLA Roy (75 yrs) hailed CM Nitish Kumar and termed him as "the most popular leader of Bihar" at a press conference. "Now, I am not bound to toe the party line. I will take independent decision in this poll," Roy told ET over phone. Roy has resigned from BJP's core committee.

In Buxar too BJP is facing rebellion after it denied ticket to its 3-term MLA Sukhda Pandey. After being denied ticket, Sukhda reached Buxar and held meeting with her supporters. The BJP has selected one Pradeep Dubey as its nominee in this constituency. "I want to consult my workers before taking any decision," she told the ET on phone from Buxar.

BJP is also facing trouble at Brahampur in Buxar after it denied ticket to Dilmani Devi, who is daughter in law of late BJP leader Kailashpati Mishra' elder brother.

The RJD-JD (U)-Congress camp is also facing a lot of rebellion. JD(U)'s Daud Ali, who represents Dumraon seat, has decided to contest from Pappu Yadav's Jan Adhikar Manch.

Munni Devi, who is sitting JD (U)'s sitting MLA from Runisaidpur, has also revolted against the party.