Over 5.32 lakh voters will decide the fate of 150 candidates in Bihar's eight legislative council seats on Friday. Prashant Kishor’s JSP and many independent candidates made the contest intense. Rajesh Kumar said, "The administration has made security arrangements for smooth and peaceful elections." Counting is scheduled for October 27.
PATNA: Over 5.32 lakh voters will decide the fate of 150 candidates in Bihar's eight legislative council seats on Friday, with the NDA and Mahagathbandhan facing stiff challenges from Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) and Independent candidates.
While Prashant Kishor's JSP-backed candidates are contesting on all eight seats, in all 150 are trying their luck in the polls, including 90 for the four graduates' constituencies -- Patna, Darbhanga, Kosi and Tirhut -- and 60 for four teachers' seats -- Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Saran. All sitting representatives are in the fray and face close contests.
The ruling alliance's main challenge is internal discord. JD (U) MLA Anant Singh has rebelled against party candidate Neeraj Kumar in Patna graduates' constituency. He has come out in support of JSP candidate Anuj Singh, alleging that Kumar had worked against him in last year's assembly polls.
Mahagathbandhan allies have failed to reach a seat-sharing arrangement, resulting in contests among RJD, Congress and candidates backed by Left parties on several seats. RJD has fielded candidates on six seats and Congress on five, making contest for their respective candidates tough.
.
In Patna teachers' and graduates' constituencies, as well as Kosi and Darbhanga graduates' seats, RJD and Congress candidates are contesting against NDA nominees.
The Congress has not fielded candidates in Saran teachers' and Tirhut graduates' constituencies, where the RJD nominees are taking on NDA candidates. The RJD has not fielded candidates in Darbhanga and Tirhut teachers' constituencies.
During campaigning, Kishor had urged voters to bring in a change, sought removal of CM Samrat Choudhary, and demanded better pay and dignity for teachers, along with employment opportunities for graduates.
Polling will be held from 8 am to 4 pm at 993 booths through ballot papers, with counting scheduled for October 27. Election authorities have deployed observers for all these constituencies.
Patna divisional commissioner and returning officer Rajesh Kumar inspected the strong room-cum-counting centre at Bankipur Girls Senior Secondary School. "The administration has made security arrangements for smooth and peaceful elections. Adequate police personnel will be deployed at the counting centre," he said.