RAKESH RANJAN IS YOUNGEST MLA

RAKESH RANJAN IS YOUNGEST MLA

16-NOV-ENG 13

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------The victory of Rakesh Ranjan, the NDA-backed Bharatiya Janata Party candidate in the Shahpur Assembly constituency, is considered special for several important reasons. With this historic victory, Rakesh Ranjan not only proved his mettle on the electoral battlefield but also earned the distinction of becoming the youngest MLA in the history of the Shahpur Assembly constituency. His unprecedented success has sparked a popular saying among the residents of the area: "Rakesh has come as a cow." This refers to the late Visheshwar Ojha, affectionately known as "Gaua." Rakesh Ranjan, elected MLA at just 27 years old, is carrying forward the legacy of the Ojha family and living up to this saying.

This victory adds another important chapter to the political landscape of Shahpur. After the Tiwari family, the Ojha family has now become the second in a political dynasty from Shahpur whose second generation will represent the constituency in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. BJP's Rakesh Ranjan thwarted the plans of Rashtriya Janata Dal candidate Rahul Tiwari, who dreamed of scoring a hat-trick like his grandfather, Pandit Ramanand Tiwari.

Rakesh Ranjan not only shattered Rahul Tiwari's dream of a hat-trick but also avenged Rahul Tiwari, who had defeated his parents in the assembly elections. This victory is also a significant triumph for Rakesh Ranjan on a personal level, healing past political wounds. Thus, the Ojha family has become a symbol of public trust in the Shahpur assembly constituency.

Turning the party's defeats in the last two assembly elections, 2015 and 2020, into victory this time is a major achievement for Rakesh Ranjan and the BJP. The unity of the Ojha family is also being considered a key factor in this 2025 election. The collective efforts of the family members and the support of the voters were clearly visible in the vote count, paving the way for victory. This unity was not limited to the family alone but also inspired voters across the region.

This time, Bharatiya Janata Party supporters built such an impenetrable fortification of votes that the Grand Alliance candidates and their supporters were unable to understand this strategy. The BJP's organizational strength and grassroots efforts created a strong electoral structure. The hard work of workers down to the booth level, public relations campaigns, and effective campaign strategies played a crucial role in creating an atmosphere in the party's favor. The Grand Alliance also faced internal strife and sabotage in many places, which proved unexpectedly beneficial for the NDA.

Rakesh Ranjan's victory is a multifaceted triumph, an excellent combination of personal leadership, family legacy, party organization, community support, and political acumen. As the youngest MLA in the history of the Shahpur Assembly, Rakesh Ranjan shoulders a huge responsibility for the development and upliftment of the region, and the people of the area have high expectations from his tenure.