BJP has canceled the ticket of 5 time MLA from Kumhrar seat of Bihar. Angered by this, Kayastha voters are supporting Jansuraj Party, due to which it has become difficult for BJP to save this seat.
As the date of Bihar Assembly elections 2025 approaches, political activity has intensified. All the parties have released the list of their candidates, but BJP’s path does not seem easy on Patna’s Kumhrar assembly seat. The party has canceled the ticket of Arun Kumar Sinha, who had won from here five consecutive times, and has made Sanjay Gupta its candidate in his place. This decision has not been liked by BJP’s traditional vote bank, Kayastha community. When the party’s national minister Rituraj Sinha arrived on a tour of the area, workers and people of Kayastha community started raising slogans of “Jansuraj Zindabad” and “KC Sinha Zindabad” in support of Jansuraj Party candidate Professor KC Sinha.
Slogans did not stop even after refusal, embarrassing BJP leaders
When senior BJP leaders present at the spot tried to pacify the workers, the crowd became more furious. People clearly said that “sidelining an honest and popular MLA like Arun Sinha is an insult to the Kayastha community.” At the local level, many Kayastha organizations have demanded BJP to reconsider the decision of changing the ticket.
Jansuraj may get benefit
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishore’s party Jansuraj, sensing the opportunity, has fielded professor and writer KC Sinha from Kumhrar seat. KC Sinha has been associated with education and social reform movements for a long time. Political experts believe that if there is a split in Kayastha votes, BJP’s position may weaken in this seat, and Jansuraj can take direct advantage of it.
Congress fielded Inderdeep Chandravanshi
Congress has also fielded Inderdeep Chandravanshi as its candidate for this high-profile seat. However, Congress was far behind on this seat last time, hence its focus is on youth and urban voters. Now the contest here seems to be triangular between BJP vs Jansuraj vs Congress.
decisive role of Kayasthas
The total number of voters in Kumhrar assembly constituency is more than four lakhs, in which the number of Kayastha community is considered to be the most decisive. Apart from this, Yadav, Rajput, Koeri, Kurmi, Brahmin and Muslim voters also play an important role here. In the last several elections, BJP has kept this seat continuously due to the united support of Kayasthas.
History and political importance of Kumhrar seat
Earlier this area was known as Patna Central. After the delimitation of 2008, it was named Kumhrar. This is a completely urban area and is considered the heartbeat of Patna’s politics. In the 2020 elections, BJP’s Arun Kumar Sinha defeated RJD candidate Dharmendra Kumar by a huge margin. But this time the equation has completely changed due to ticket cancellation.
Difficulties for BJP, opportunity for PK
Kumharar’s election has now become not just a fight for the seat, but a question of prestige. While BJP is trying to save its old bastion, Prashant Kishore and his Jansuraj Party are considering this as a golden opportunity to strengthen their political base in the capital.