Cong victory march in Bihar worries friends & foes

PATNA: Congress is hoping to spring a few surprises in Bihar this time. The party, which for years remained politically dependent on Lalu Prasad, is fighting on its own and may succeed in winning just 2-3 seats. But the real gain may come in terms of vote percentage, and this should be a booster for the party which is yearning to re-establish itself in the state.

In 11 constituencies that go to polls on April 30, Congress finds itself on a stronger wicket in a number of seats. At Kishanganj, Congress nominee Asrarul Haque is expected to give tough fight to sitting RJD MP and Union minister Mohammad Taslimuddin. JD(U) nominee Ashraf Mahmood is struggling to make his presence felt and voters here say the party erred by fielding him.

���JD(U) nominee is a wrong choice and the development plank of Nitish Kumar will not work here,��� said Kishanganj Congress town president Arun Kumar Saha, who was till recently in BJP. Even in Supaul, Congress nominee Ranjita Ranjan, and not LJP candidate Surya Narain Yadav, is on a stronger wicket.

In Katihar, Congress-supported NCP nominee Tariq Anwar is making life tough for Nikhil Choudhary of BJP. Similarly in Purnea, Congress-backed independent nominee Shanti Priya is locked in a contest with Udai Singh alias Pappu Singh. RJD-backed LJP candidate Shankar Jha can only hope to play spoilsport.

In keeping with the party���s upbeat mood, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi addressed election rallies at Khagaria and Araria, where it has fielded minority candidates. ���Congress is now an option for the minorities and a good number may be inclined to vote for Mehmoob Ali Kaiser of Congress in Khagaria,��� said Rajiv Kumar Yadav of Prinagra village in Khagaria.