Insaaf Times Desk

As the Bihar Assembly elections draw near, dissatisfaction and discontent are intensifying within the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA Alliance) over seat-sharing arrangements. In several assembly constituencies across Bihar, workers and local leaders believe that hardworking and long-standing Congress members have been overlooked in the ticket distribution process. A prominent case of this has emerged from the Jale Assembly constituency in Darbhanga district.

This time, Congress has announced Rishi Mishra as its candidate from Jale, even though he was not a member of the party. This decision has triggered strong discontent among Congress workers and the local populace. Many argue that the same person who, in the 2020 Assembly elections, played a key role in defeating Congress candidate Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani by labeling him a “Jinn-wadi” is now being given a ticket—an injustice to dedicated party workers.

In protest, the Jale Congress Committee submitted collective resignations, and the RJD block committee also resigned in opposition to the alliance’s decision. Both committees questioned how someone who had burned an effigy of the Congress state president and has been affiliated with multiple parties could be trusted. The decision not only hurts the sentiments of local organizations but also exposes dissatisfaction within the alliance.

In the previous election, Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani had posed a strong challenge on a Congress ticket but lost due to rumors and misinformation circulated at the time. Despite the defeat, he remained connected to the constituency, staying among the people of Jale and supporting them in their joys and sorrows. This time, he has decided to contest as an independent candidate, choosing to fight his battle personally.

Currently, Jale’s sitting MLA is Jivesh Kumar Mishra, who has won the seat consecutively and is presently serving as Bihar’s Minister for Urban Development. This sets the stage for an interesting three-way contest: the ruling NDA’s candidate and incumbent minister Jivesh Mishra, the Mahagathbandhan-supported Congress candidate Rishi Mishra, and the popular independent candidate Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani.

According to the Election Commission, voting in Jale Assembly constituency will take place on November 6, with counting scheduled for November 14.

It will be interesting to see whom the people of Jale choose to support: will they trust the candidate who helped defeat the alliance’s candidate last time, or will they stand by the young leader who, despite losing, remained among the people and emerged as the voice of Jale?

This time, the Mahagathbandhan’s position in Bihar appears somewhat uncertain. In many areas, veteran and dedicated workers have been sidelined in favor of outsiders or new faces, increasing dissatisfaction at the local level. If this trend continues, it could directly impact election results.

(This story has been prepared by independent journalist and Jamia Millia Islamia student Abdul Kalam)