Muslims, Yadavs to seal Nitish fate

With barely few hours left before Bihar votes for the fifth and last phase of polls, the Election Commission has ordered to seal Bihar borders with Nepal (in the north) and West Bengal (in the east).

Voting will take place in 57 constituencies spread over nine districts, four of which share its border with the Himalayan nation. This includes Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj. Two other districts Purnia and Katihar, apart from Kishanganj, share their border with West Bengal.

Amid last-ditch effort to polarise votes, the BJP created another row when it issued advertisements related to cow/beef and asked Nitish to explain why he was silent on the issue. Yet another row over BJP leaders terming Shah Rukh Khan “a Pakistani agent” may have a cascading effect on Thursday poll, particularly in constituencies where there is 30 per cent to 70 per cent Muslim population .

Thursday’s poll is all the more crucial for the NDA as well as the Grand Alliance as it will play a significant role in deciding whether Nitish can make a hat-trick. It is this area where Lalu’s trusted ally - MY (Muslim-Yadav) combination will be put to test.

Incidentally, Muslims dominate in Seemanchal while Yadavs are spread over in large number in Mithilanchal zone of Madhubani, Darbhanga, Supaul, Saharsa and Madhepura. Lalu’s MY combination could make or break Nitish’s dream.

The last phase is important for the Congress party too which has fielded its 10 candidates, out of total 41 nominees, in this segment. Traditionally, Seemanchal has been loyal to Congress precisely because when it got wiped out from entire Bihar, it was this area which gave the Congress three out of five MLAs.

Despite winning 31 out of 40 LS seats last year, the NDA lost all the four parliamentary constituencies from Seemanchal.