FORMER MLA EXPLAINED THE REASONS FOR THE DEFEAT

FORMER MLA EXPLAINED THE REASONS FOR THE DEFEAT

27-NOV-ENG 13

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------Lohia also emphasized that Jagdishpur is considered a winning seat, but this time he did not receive the CPI(ML) vote. According to him, the CPI(ML) has approximately 18,000 votes in the area, which did not come to his account.

When media personnel asked former MLA Ram Vishun Singh Lohia about the reasons for his unexpected defeat in the 2025 elections in the Jagdishpur assembly constituency, he elaborated on the reasons why his son, Kishore Kunal (RJD candidate), failed to achieve success this time. Lohia, who had won the 2015 and 2020 elections, said that he was not defeated, but defeated. He attributed this defeat to a complex set of factors.

According to former MLA Lohia, the primary reason for his defeat was the lack of expected votes from the Grand Alliance allies, particularly the CPI-ML. He categorically stated that CPI-ML supporters did not cast their votes for him. According to him, the CPI-ML had approximately 18,000 votes in the constituency, which did not come to his account.

The second important reason he cited was the transfer of ₹10,000 by the central and state governments to women's accounts during the election code of conduct. Lohia termed this a form of "vote buying," especially since, during the code of conduct, candidates and agents of political parties contesting elections are required to account for every penny spent and adhere to numerous rules.

He also questioned the role of the Election Commission, alleging that it openly gave leeway to NDA members. According to him, voting was scheduled for the 6th, but money continued to flow into women's accounts until the 3rd, leading even women who had no intention of voting for the NDA to be lured into voting by the ₹10,000.

The third and most sensitive reason he cited was internal sabotage within his own party. According to Lohia, some members of his own party worked against him. First, he fielded an independent candidate, "Pinku," and when Pinku didn't receive sufficient support, those same party workers transferred their personal votes to the "arrow symbol" (JDU's election symbol). He cited this internal sabotage as a major reason for his defeat.

When asked about the reasons behind the sabotage, Lohia attributed it to the excessive ambition of some individuals. He explained that similar situations had occurred with him in the 2015 and 2020 elections. This time, those people have been identified. When asked about the party's action, he said that if the party asked for information, he would provide it. He expressed confidence that the party had received information about every area, and it was now the party's decision whether to take action or not.

Lohia also emphasized that Jagdishpur is considered a winning seat, but this time he did not receive the CPI(ML)'s votes. According to him, the CPI(ML) has approximately 18,000 votes in the area, which did not come to his account. In contrast, he explained that he had campaigned for MP Sudama Prasad in his constituency for six days using four vehicles to prevent Yadav votes from shifting to RK Singh (the BJP candidate), as this would have discredited him.

However, he regrets that Sudama Prasad did not take any action and did not hold a single meeting in Jagdishpur. Former MLAs like Chandradeep Singh were also sent to Tarari, and Dipankar Bhattacharya did not visit any part of Shahabad. MP Sudama Prasad did not go anywhere to campaign in Barhara, Shahpur, Jagdishpur.