Ujiarpur Constituency: Bracing For A Triangular Battle With Yadav Votes In Focus

Ujiarpur Lok Sabha Constituency in Bihar is bracing up for a triangular battle, with candidates focusing on securing Yadav votes. Among the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, Ujiarpur stands out as one of the most Yadav-dominated constituencies.

The electoral battleground in Ujiarpur has intensified, with the prominent parties nominating their candidates. The BJP’s incumbent MP, Nityanand Rai, seeks a third consecutive term, while the INDIA Alliance fields RJD senior leader Alok Kumar Mehta. The sudden entry of RJD’s rebel leader, Amresh Rai, as an independent candidate in the poll fray escalated the contest into a triangular battle. After failing to secure a ticket from the RJD, Amresh Rai decided to contest as an independent candidate. Now, a total of 18 candidates are vying for seats in the upcoming election.

Ujiarpur Lok Sabha constituency, situated in Samastipur district, emerged as a separate parliamentary constituency after the 2008 delimitation process. The parliamentary seat is classified under the general category. In the 2009 elections, Janata Dal United candidate Ashwamedh Devi secured victory. However, BJP leader Nityanand Rai clinched victory in the subsequent two elections held in 2014 and 2019.

The constituency encompasses six assembly constituencies: Patepur (SC), Ujiarpur, Morwa, Sarairanjan, Mohiuddinnagar, and Bibhutipur. With a significant presence of voters from the Kushwaha and Yadav communities, political parties are vying to secure their support. Additionally, the electorate, comprising Brahmins, Muslims, and OBCs, also wields considerable influence in determining election outcomes.

Ujiarpur Lok Sabha constituency has been a focal point of political discussions since 2019, particularly with Nityanand Rai, the current Union Minister of State for Home, representing the BJP. Rai, who hails from the Yadav community, has become a prominent figure in Bihar politics. In the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the spotlight is on whether Rai can secure this seat for a third consecutive term. However, facing tough competition from Alok Kumar Mehta, who belongs to the Kushwaha community, Rai’s victory is not guaranteed. Mehta’s candidacy may sway Yadav voters towards the RJD, but Rai maintains a strong presence in the constituency and has significantly increased his victory margin in the last election.

Additionally, the entry of RJD’s rebel leader, Amresh Rai, has made the contest triangular, potentially dividing Yadav votes and posing a challenge for Mehta. Furthermore, with Upendra Kushwaha aligning with the NDA, Rai stands to benefit further from the alliance.

According to local news portals, the neglect of the agricultural sector is causing frustration among the people in the region. Historically known for tobacco production, the area has transitioned to vegetable cultivation, but the absence of agricultural-based industries has left residents discontented. This longstanding issue has been a prominent concern in previous elections as well.

(This story is part of a Timeline. internship project.)