BLOOD TIES BECOME THE WALL BETWEEN VICTORY AND DEFEAT

BLOOD TIES BECOME THE WALL BETWEEN VICTORY AND DEFEAT

18-MAY-ENG 8

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------It is often said in political circles that the toughest battles are those we must fight against our very own kin. In the landscape of Bihar politics, the results of the recent by-election for the Bhojpur-cum-Buxar Legislative Council seat have once again validated this adage. The defeat of JD(U) candidate Kanhaiya Prasad remains the primary topic of discussion among political analysts and the general public today. On the very seat where, in the previous election, his father had defeated the RJD stalwart Anil Samrat by a massive margin, Kanhaiya Prasad faced a crushing defeat at the hands of RJD’s Sonu Rai during this by-election.

An analysis of the factors underlying this defeat reveals facts that are truly startling. While battling external opponents is a natural part of electoral politics, the outcome is often disheartening when one's own blood relatives become the very barrier standing between victory and defeat. This is precisely what transpired in Kanhaiya Prasad's case; the role played by his own kin was the most decisive factor in scripting his defeat.

Let us begin by discussing his uncle, Hakim Prasad. A dedicated RJD leader himself, Hakim Prasad prioritized political ideology and party loyalty over familial ties. He not only took up arms against his own nephew but also channeled all his energy and resources into ensuring the victory of the *Mahagathbandhan* (Grand Alliance) candidate. This instance—of two members of the same family standing at opposing poles—remained a major talking point throughout the region. The strategic vigor with which Hakim Prasad engaged in the election campaign rendered the situation even more precarious for Kanhaiya Prasad.

Furthermore, in analyzing the dynamics of this defeat, one cannot overlook the role played by his maternal uncle—Sudama Prasad, the Member of Parliament from Ara. As a prominent leader of the *Mahagathbandhan*, Sudama Prasad had publicly predicted the alliance's victory on polling day itself—a prediction that ultimately proved to be true. His active involvement—both as a senior leader and as a relative—came as a major political blow to Kanhaiya Prasad.

As the saying goes: "It was our own people who robbed us; strangers lacked the power to do so." Kanhaiya Prasad's defeat was not the result of some external political storm, but rather the consequence of internal sabotage and the shrewd electoral strategy employed by those closest to him. This turn of events exposes a bitter truth within the realm of politics: that, at times, personal ambitions and political allegiances can carry far greater weight than family norms and relationships.