Mirzapur: Apna Dal (S)'s Anupriya Patel Vs BJP Defector Ramesh Bind
In Mirzapur, incumbent MP and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal (S) is seeking third term. She is fielded against SP’s Ramesh Bind and the BSP’s Manish Tripathi. Mirzapur Lok Sabha constituency comprises five assembly segments: Chhanbey (SC), Mirzapur, Majhawan, Chunar, and Marihan, all of which are held by the BJP-led NDA.
Since the constituency comprises significant population of backward and Scheduled Castes (SC), caste dynamics play an important role in the election. Among them, nearly 49% belong to the backward class and 25% consists Scheduled Caste/Tribe. Besides, Thakurs and Brahmins vote bank can also influence the election results.
Apna Dal (S), an important political outfit in the state is one of the strongest allies of the BJP. The party has been in alliance with the saffron party since 2017 and has the third-highest number of MLAs in the legislative assembly after the BJP and the (SP).
The party maintains the support of Kurmi vote bank, which comprises 6% of the total population. Besides, Apna Dal (S) holds influence among non-Yadav OBC groups, including Kushwaha, Maurya, Nishad, Pal, and Saini, in the state. Reports states that caste arithmetic and the implementation of some central welfare schemes are likely to work in favour of the Apna Dal (S) chief.
At the same time, political observes also claims that factors such as anti-incumbency, criticism on leniency towards Kurmi vote bank, and chances of electoral fallout from Thakur community sprouted from remarks against Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias ‘Raja Bhaiya’ are likely to work against Anupriya Patel.
Ramesh Bind, the sitting BJP MP from Bhadohi, joined the SP since Lok Sabha ticket was denied to him. By fielding Ramesh Bind, SP underlines its the PDA (backward, Dalit, Muslim), a tactful attempt to reach the Bind/Nishad boatman community.
BSP candidate Manish Kumar Tripathi in the poll fray, appeals to Jatav community in the constituency. A Brahmin candidate, Tripathi is likely to cause a minor split in the Brahmin vote.
Mirzapur has an important political history, as it has sent Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Arun Singh, and also made Phoolan Devi, first Woman MP from the constituency.
