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Saturday, Dec 29, 2007
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Massive security for Bihar by-election

K. Balchand

Rabri writes to Commission on officers’ transfer

PATNA: Massive security arrangements are in place for Saturday’s by-election for the Bikramganj Lok Sabha seat in Bihar.

Borders with the neighbouring States were sealed soon after campaigning ended on Thursday and as many as 40 companies of paramilitary forces, 12 companies of the Bihar Military Police and 5000 jawans deployed.

In a surprise move, the NDA government replaced officers in charge of all police stations under the constituency on Thursday, apparently without the Election Commission’s permission.

In a petition to the Commission, Leader of the Opposition Rabri Devi alleged that the changes were made at the behest of the Chief Minister to rig the elections. She demanded action against the police top brass.

The fight is not merely between the RJD and the JD(U) but also between their respective alliances. Queering the pitch are the CPI(ML) and the BSP in a fight which has 12 contestants.

Railway Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad has taken the battle into the NDA’s camp. He has fielded a former legislator, Ashok Kumar Kushwaha. He is hoping to sever the Koeri community’s bonhomie with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the aftermath of Upendra Kushwaha’s expulsion from the JD(U). Mr. Kushwaha, former general secretary of the party and a Koeri, fell out with Mr. Kumar and he eventually joined the Nationalist Congress Party.

That there has been a realignment is evident from Mr. Kumar’s admission that the RJD posed a challenge in the constituency and that he would defeat it. The JD(U) has fielded the slain MP Ajit Singh’s widow Meena Singh belonging to the Rajput community.

Yadavs and Koeris constitute almost 30 per cent of the 13.8 lakh voters in the constituency. The CPI(ML) too has put up a Keori candidate in Arun Kumar Singh. He enjoys the LJP’s support.

Making the JD(U)’s task more difficult is the BSP. It has fielded a Brahmin, Balram Mishra.

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