Lucknow : In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is slated to address a public meeting in the Rohaniya assembly segment, a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency Varanasi, on December 24. Shravan Kumar, Bihar minister and Janata Dal (United) secretary (organisation), confirmed the program after finalizing the venue during a visit to Rohaniya on Saturday.
This rally will mark Nitish Kumar’s inaugural appearance for the Lok Sabha elections, with a focus not only on Varanasi but also on key areas like Azamgarh, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Phulpur, Ambedkar Nagar, and Mirzapur, according to Shravan Kumar.
Taking a swipe at the ruling BJP, Nitish Kumar alleged that caste and religion dominate their agenda, while their focus is on “brotherhood and love.” Criticizing the Congress, he acknowledged delays in strategizing due to certain leaders’ mistakes but asserted efforts to rectify them.
Rohaniya, a Patel-majority assembly constituency in Varanasi, holds significance in every election since 2012. Nitish Kumar’s rallies in various places, including Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, and Prayagraj, aim to convey pre-poll posturing and possibly encourage the Congress to yield space to regional players in states like UP.
The choice of locations aligns with strategic Kurmi outreach, as Nitish Kumar, a Kurmi himself, actively engages in east UP, where the BJP supports Apna Dal (S), a Kurmi-centric party. This move signals efforts to woo the influential Kurmi vote, impacting outcomes in approximately 12 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Nitish Kumar’s rallies are expected to add momentum to the political landscape in the lead-up to the crucial elections.
