The results of Municipal elections in Kishanganj had surprised all as most of the seats in the district headquarters Kishanganj, and sub-urbs of Bahadurganj and Thakurganj were won by Non-Muslim candidates. This past week the polling was conducted for the selection of Municipal Chairman, Vice Chairman, and other posts. To the utter surprise, except Bahadurganj, all the posts were swiped away by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supported candidates.
Achi Devi Jain W/O Trilok Chan Jain lifted the Chairman’s post by defeating Bilkis Fatma with the margin of 4 votes, she has secured 19 votes against the 15 of the latter. The Vice Chairman’s Post was won by Mrityunjay Kumar Gupta alias Mukesh Gupta. In Thakurganj Bebi Devi occupied the Chairman’s Post, while Krishna Kumar emerged winner as Vice Chairman. In Bahadurganj Mujtaba Anwer became Chairman, and Mira Bosak was elected Vice Chairman.
Achi Devi Jain - Chairman Kishanganj Municipality
On a broad spectrum, the democracy doesn’t preach to do religion based politics in the country. Hence, it would be wrong if someone raises question over the Municipal results in Kishanganj and post distribution. But at the same time hardly anyone can forget the misdeeds done by the local BJP unit of the district including its student’s unit AVBP. Whether it is the proposal of AMU Kishanganj Centre or other Muslim related issues, the BJP has openly boycotted the same. Sometimes, even the saffron brigade had tried to give communal colour to issues.
Mrityunjay Kumar Gupta - Vice Chairman Kishanganj Municipality
Kishanganj is renowned for its unusual political scenario and unique mandate of public. Whether it be Lok Sabha elections or Assembly polls, the results of Kishanganj in the past have always been a surprising factor. People’s favourite Maulana Asrarul Haque could secure the win after about two decades of efforts, and reached to Indian Parliament in 2009. Similarly, when the whole Bihar has almost given clear mandate to JD(U) – BJP coalition in 2010 Assembly elections, the people of Kishanganj had gone into other direction and 4 seats were shared by Congress (2), RJD (1) and LJP (1). The election results of MLC (Member of Legislative Council) were also surprising as Dilip Jaiswal emerged out as a winner with support of Muslim Mukhiyas.
The results of Municipal elections in Kishanganj is an alarm bell for the Muslim representatives who claim themselves stakeholders of district. By leaving behind the differences just for sake of politics and power they should join hands to fight for the issues related to the Muslim dominated district instead of being trapped in self interest.
