Bihar Polls: Taslimuddin Vs Shahnawaz Hussain, a virtual war between rivals

Election campaigning is on full flow in whole Bihar including the Muslim dominated Seemanchal region, where a cold war is going between former Member of Parliament Mohammad Taslimuddin and BJP MP Syed Shahnawaz Hussain. Once the political rival, Taslimuddin and Shahnawaz are parts of Janata Dal (United) – BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) coalition in Bihar. In fact, Mohammad Taslimuddin who sometimes referred to as the ‘Gandhi of Seemanchal’ had recently joined Janata Dal (United) and he was expecting the Kishanganj Assembly seat.

Though Taslimuddin’s son Sarfraz Alam (Joki Haat), and two of his supporters including Mujahid Alam and Musawwir Alam managed to get ticket, but the veteran leader’s name was withdrawn by the Janata Dal (United) at the final moment from Kishanganj assembly constituency. However, due to prior commitment and seat sharing formula, the Kishanganj seat went to BJP’s new face Sweety Singh.

The denial of Janata Dal (United) ticket to former Union minister and the then RJD strongman, Mohammad Taslimuddin, under the pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party has triggered a war of words between the two alliance parties in Bihar. As per internal sources, Taslimuddin was interested in fighting from Araria seat, but from there too the BJP’s Narayan Jha got the ticket.

While talking to a section of media a week ago, Taslimuddin directly attacked the former Union minister, Syed Shahnawaz Husain, for working against him. Political experts are of the view that the tussle within the NDA is likely to have a devastating impact on the result as Congress, and to some extent RJD-LJP alliance, may fully capitalize on the situation.

Taslimuddin has always been opposed by the Sangh Parivar including BJP in the region. However, he was ushered into the Janata Dal (United) by none else but the Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, on July 5, 2010. The BJP has always accused him of being a criminal and there is every likelihood of some party leaders working against Taslimuddin’s son and supporters. The full-fledged war has flared up so close to the election that it now appears to be difficult to subside the matter.

The first phase of election is schedule on October 21, 2010 in Purnea division. Although the political commentators are showing doubt about NDA’s performance in the region, but Gopal Kumar Aggarwal and Mujahid Alam from Thakurganj and Kochadhaman constituencies have been declared winner. Let us keenly observe the battle waged between Janata Dal (United) and BJP, and see who emerge victorious from Purnea division.