ELECTION MEETING IN SUPPORT OF MAHAGATHBANDHAN CANDIDATE

ELECTION MEETING IN SUPPORT OF MAHAGATHBANDHAN CANDIDATE

27-APRIL-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------A one-day election meeting was organized in Shahpur and Bihiya—within the Shahpur Assembly constituency of Bhojpur district—to bolster the election campaign of Sonu Kumar Rai, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate backed by the 'INDIA' alliance for the Local Authorities Constituency (Bhojpur-cum-Buxar). Addressing public representatives and party workers at the meeting, former MLA Rahul Tiwari (alias 'Mantu Tiwari') stated that this election is not merely a contest between individuals, but rather a battle for ideology, social justice, development, and the rights of the people. He emphasized that by ensuring Sonu Kumar Rai's victory, they would be sending a voice to the Legislative Council—one capable of forcefully advocating for the rights of public representatives, the development of the region, and the resolution of common citizens' grievances. He appealed to all colleagues to stand united and cast their votes in favor of the 'Mahagathbandhan' candidate, Sonu Kumar Rai, thereby strengthening democratic values. Former MLA Vijendra Yadav remarked that the credit for granting voting rights to Ward Members within the Panchayati Raj system belongs to their leader, Lalu Prasad Yadav. It is this initiative, he noted, that has generated such enthusiasm for the 'Mahagathbandhan' among public representatives today. He asserted that a strong wave favoring the 'Mahagathbandhan' is currently sweeping through the region, with Sonu Kumar Rai receiving overwhelming support from Ward Members, *Mukhiyas* (village heads), and other Panchayat representatives. He further stated that the position of 'Mahagathbandhan' candidate Sonu Kumar Rai remains extremely strong across all seven Assembly constituencies within Bhojpur district. He also recalled that the "Charwaha Vidyalaya" (Shepherd School) was a revolutionary concept envisioned by Lalu Prasad Yadav; the objective of these schools was to provide education to the poor, as well as to shepherds—who tend to cows, buffaloes, and goats—and their children. Advising party workers and voters to remain vigilant and united, he emphasized that victory is attainable only through solidarity. He declared with confidence that the victory of 'Mahagathbandhan' candidate Sonu Kumar Rai is a certainty. He added that the opposing camp, having sensed their impending defeat, is now attempting to create confusion by resorting to the tactic of fielding "dummy candidates." He concluded by stating that rebel candidates like Manoj Upadhyay, or any other independent contenders, pose no challenge whatsoever to their campaign. He stated that some individuals engage in nonsensical and baseless rhetoric solely to gain political mileage, derive personal benefit, and remain in the headlines.

Former MLA Rahul Tiwari, Mahagathbandhan candidate Sonu Kumar Rai, Murad Hussain, and others at an election meeting in Bihiya.

Mahagathbandhan candidate Sonu Kumar Rai remarked that the enthusiastic and active participation witnessed everywhere—from all respected leaders, office-bearers, dedicated party workers, representatives of the three-tier Panchayat system, and elected representatives of urban local bodies—has made it abundantly clear that we are all unitedly and resolutely moving forward towards bringing about change. A large number of people were present on this occasion, including former MLA Rahul Tiwari (alias Mantoo Tiwari), former MLA Vijendra Yadav, President of the Block Mukhiya Association Baliram Yadav, Mukhiya Birbal Singh, Block RJD President Shivprasanna Yadav, former Deputy Chief Santosh Paswan, Rakesh Yadav, and Mushki Yadav.