Bihar: Seat-change hurt Giriraj Singh's "self-respect", Kanhaiya takes a jibe
What's the story
Union minister Giriraj Singh, who is one of the tallest BJP leaders in Bihar, said his self-respect was hurt after his Lok Sabha seat was changed from Nawada to Begusarai.
Singh's admission just days after BJP released its list of candidates gave Kanhaiya Kumar, the Left's candidate from Begusarai, a chance to take a jibe on the firebrand leader.
Here's what happened.
Decision
Singh was shifted from Nawada for LJP's candidate
Singh, a sitting MP from Nawada, was forced to vacate his constituency for LJP, an NDA constituent.
On March 23, BJP in-charge of Bihar, Bhupendra Yadav, announced Chandan Kumar will contest polls from Nawada and Singh from Begusarai.
After the announcement, Singh chose to stay away from media. But his dissatisfaction came to fore when he told ANI the decision was taken without consultation.
Quote
Have nothing against Begusarai but can't compromise self-respect: Singh
"My self-respect is hurt that no other MP's seat was changed in Bihar. It was decided without talking to me. State BJP leadership should tell me why it was done. I've nothing against Begusarai but I can't compromise with my self-respect," Singh said.
Replay
In 2014, Singh wanted to fight from Begusarai
In the last parliamentary elections, Singh wanted to contest from Begusarai but was given Nawada. He had met Rajnath Singh, who was BJP president at the time, to air his grievances and finally gave in.
"Since 1996 I have been wanting to contest elections from Begusarai. The issue that I have with the distribution is that no other sitting MP had to change their seat," Singh said.
Kanhaiya's reaction
He sent people to Pakistan, reminded Kanhaiya
Singh's statement prompted a reaction from Kanhaiya, who is venturing into politics for the first time.
"Watched the news on TV and learned that the BJP minister known for sending off people to free of cost Pakistan tours is not ready to come to Begusarai for contesting the polls," he wrote on Facebook late Monday night.
Later, he attacked Singh on Twitter.
Twitter Post
Begusarai ko vanakkam, tweeted Kanhaiya
बताइए, लोगों को ज़बरदस्ती पाकिस्तान भेजने वाले ‘पाकिस्तान टूर एंड ट्रेवेल्स विभाग’ के वीज़ा-मन्त्री जी नवादा से बेगूसराय भेजे जाने पर हर्ट हो गए।
— Kanhaiya Kumar (@kanhaiyakumar) March 26, 2019
मन्त्री जी ने तो कह दिया “बेगूसराय को वणक्कम” 😝 https://t.co/HKXmu2hXt8
Statement
Singh's attitude will get noticed, claimed Kanhaiya
Separately, Kanhaiya said people will notice Singh's reluctance. He said his fight is against Singh's decisive forces.
"I never felt Singh was an Indian minister. I thought he was the Visa minister of Pakistan because he kept sending everyone there," Singh said.
Both Singh and Kanhaiya belong to Bhumihaar community, which has a presence in the Bihar town and can sway elections.
Details
Begusarai will witness a three-cornered fight this time
Since grand alliance in Bihar didn't give CPI a seat on the table, the Left party fielded Kanhaiya. The mahagathbandhan is now mulling fielding RJD's Tanvir Hassan from the constituency, which will make it a three-cornered battle.
Apart from Bhumihaars, Begusarai also has a sizeable Koeri-Yadav population, which RJD is hoping to tap on.
Meanwhile, Singh is lobbying hard to get his candidature withdrawn.