Has Nitish Kumar Selected JD(U) Candidate for Rajpur?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Nitish Kumar announces Santosh Kumar Nirala as JD(U) candidate for Rajpur.
- The announcement aims to consolidate support ahead of the Bihar elections.
- The Rajpur constituency is expected to be a key battleground.
- Past election performances highlight the competitive nature of the seat.
- Kumar emphasizes progress and stability in Bihar's governance.
Patna, Sep 6 (NationPress) As the NDA continues to navigate the complexities of seat-sharing for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister and JD(U) National President Nitish Kumar is proactively advancing his party's strategy.
During a public address in Buxar on Saturday, Kumar revealed that former minister Santosh Kumar Nirala will be the NDA's candidate for the Rajpur (Reserved) constituency.
While highlighting Nirala in his speech, the Chief Minister earnestly urged the public to support his campaign for victory.
“We ask you to please focus, and ensure his (Santosh Nirala) win. If you wish, we will secure a significant number of seats. The Congress has only caused disruption — what have they achieved so far? They create hurdles. Now observe, progress is evident,” Nitish stated.
In his remarks, the Chief Minister reminisced about the Lalu-Rabri government, encouraging voters to reflect on the past versus his administration's accomplishments.
“What was Bihar like 20 years ago? Now, positive developments are visible throughout. With the Centre's backing, we will propel Bihar forward. Bihar will not lag behind—it will reclaim its leading position in the nation,” Nitish emphasized.
The Rajpur (SC) seat in Buxar district has historically been a battleground.
In the 2020 Assembly elections, Congress candidate Vishwanath Ram triumphed over JD(U)’s Santosh Kumar Nirala by 21,204 votes.
Vishwanath Ram garnered 67,871 votes, while Santosh Kumar Nirala received 46,667 votes, and Sanjay Ram of the BSP obtained 43,836 votes.
During the 2015 Assembly Elections, running under the Grand Alliance, Santosh Kumar Nirala defeated BJP’s Vishwanath Ram by 32,788 votes and later took on the role of Transport Minister in Nitish Kumar's Cabinet.
By declaring Nirala’s candidacy ahead of the NDA’s formal seat-sharing announcement, Nitish Kumar has conveyed a decisive message to both allies and competitors.
The Rajpur constituency, which experienced a closely contested triangular race in 2020, is anticipated to be one of the pivotal contests in the upcoming elections.