Patna, July 8 (). Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Bhai Virendra on Wednesday appealed to the opposition parties to unite regarding the by-election to be held on Bihar’s Bankipur assembly seat. He said that if all the opposition parties together field a common candidate, then a tough challenge can be given to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Brother Virendra said while talking to journalists that the ruling party has given its full strength in the by-elections. Bankipur seat has become a question of prestige for the BJP, because its MLA Nitin Naveen has resigned from the membership of the Assembly after becoming the national president of BJP and being elected as Rajya Sabha member.
He said, “I have already urged all the opposition parties to sit together and decide on a candidate so that the BJP can be defeated. But at present all the parties are declaring their own candidates. I once again appeal to the senior leaders of all the opposition parties to come together and field a joint candidate.”
The RJD MLA said that the unity of the opposition will make the electoral contest stronger and its message will go across the country that the opposition is on one platform against the BJP. If all the opposition parties agree on one candidate then BJP and NDA can be defeated. However, he also clarified that any political party or individual has every right to contest elections.
He said, “I am not raising questions on anyone contesting the elections. All I am saying is that the opposition should contest the elections by making a collective strategy.”
It is noteworthy that voting for the by-election on Bankipur assembly seat is to be held on July 30. Political parties have announced their candidates for this seat. RJD has fielded Rekha Gupta, while BJP has fielded Abhishek Kumar.
Whereas, Prashant Kishor is contesting the elections on behalf of Jan Suraj. Tej Pratap Yadav’s party has also declared Veena Manvi as its candidate. Political activity has intensified regarding Bankipur by-election. On one hand, BJP is making a strategy to retain this seat, while on the other hand, opposition parties are busy in election preparations at their own level. In such a situation, brother Virendra’s appeal for opposition unity has given a new dimension to the by-election politics.
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MNP/SK
