JD(U)’s Sitting MP Dr. Alok Kumar Suman Hopes To Win A Second Term In Gopalganj (image-X/draloksuman)
Divided on caste lines and development, the Gopalganj Lok Sabha constituency will see the incumbent MP and Janata Dal (United) candidate Dr. Alok Kumar Suman contest the elections to win a second term. He is pitted against Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) nominee Premnath Chanchal. Although AIMIM and BSP candidates, Dinanath Manjhi and Sujit Kumar Ram, respectively, are also in the race, political experts have concluded that the real battle is going to be between Dr. Suman and Chanchal.
Known to have given three chief ministers such as Abdul Ghafoor, Lalu Prasad, and wife Rabri Devi, the SC reserved Lok Sabha constituency has persistently faced problems such as migration, flooding, and drought. Additionally, voters are divided when it comes to pertinent issues such as employment, inflation, and migration. Meanwhile, for others, the shutting down of the Sasamusa sugar mill is a major concern.
Of the total voter base, 17.02 percent are Muslims, 12.5 percent are SCs, and 2.38 percent are STs. The Yadav population comprises 14 percent of the total population, while over 3 lakh Paswan and fishermen”s community Mallah voters also exist.
VIP candidate Chanchal has the support of the minority communities. According to analysts, the JD(U) and BJP supporters, although not happy with Dr. Suman for allegedly not appearing in the region since his 2019 win, are expected to cast their votes for him because of the Modi brand.
With a substantial margin, Dr. Suman bagged the seat with 5.6 lakh votes, defeating Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Surendra Ram, who won 2.8 lakh votes in the 2019 elections. Notably, the NOTA option was chosen by over 51,660 voters, suggesting an apprehension to vote for the nominated candidates in the JD(U) bastion.
Dr. Suman completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Master of Surgery (MS) from Patna Medical College and Hospital.
The Gopalganj Lok Sabha constituency comprises Vidhan Sabhas such as Barauli, Gopalganj, Kuchaikote, Bhore (SC), Hathua, and Baikunthpur. Of the total six Lok Sabha constituencies, two are represented by the BJP, RJD and JD(U) each.
