NDA announces candidates for Bihar assembly bypolls

Patna: The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar on Friday announced its candidates for bypolls to Kusheshwar Asthan and Tarapur assembly seats. Both are from Janata Dal (United), which had won the seats in 2020 elections.

The ticket for Kusheshwar Asthan in Darbhanga district was given to Aman Hajari while for Tarapur of Munger to Rajiv Kumar Singh.

The polling is scheduled on October 30 and the result will come on November 2.

JD-U national President Lalan Singh announced the candidates in presence of Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad and BJP state chief Sanjay Jaiswal.

Kusheshwar Asthan and Tarapur fell vacant after the deaths of sitting MLAs, Shashibhushan Hajari of the BJP and Mewalal Chaudhary of the JD-U. Aman Hajari, after the death of his father, had joined the JD-U. Rajiv Kumar Singh is a Kushwaha leader who was also contested Assembly polls three times but lost.

He is perceived to have a good hold in Kushwaha-dominated Tarapur seat, and this played a role in his selection

The by-elections are also a litmus test for newly-appointed Lalan Singh, being the first time, under his leadership, and with his team at key places in the party leadership.

Meanwhile, Lok Janshakti Party's faction led by Jamui MP Chirag Paswan has decided to field candidates for both the seats, its officer bearer Hulas Pandey said.

However, the party's other faction, led by Chirag's uncle and union minister Pashupati Paras, has announced to support NDA candidates.