The Digha constituency in Patna is witnessing a unique electoral contest ahead of the November 6 polling in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections. Divya Gautam, a 33-year-old academic and theatre actor representing CPI(ML)Liberation, is challenging two-term BJP MLA Sanjiv Chaurasia, 56. Unlike traditional campaigns featuring star campaigners and large convoys, Gautam relies on grassroots mobilization and crowdfunding, aiming to demonstrate that middle-class candidates can compete without wealthy backing. Digha is Bihar's largest constituency with over 4.55 lakh voters, including 2.17 lakh women voters. The seat is dominated by Kayastha, Rajput, Brahmin, Bhumihar, and OBC communities, including Yadavs. While Gautam is the maternal cousin of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, she has deliberately avoided using his name in her campaign, citing ethical concerns. The CPI(ML)L camp banks on anti-incumbency sentiments and youth-women support. Local residents accuse Chaurasia of negligence, poor sanitation, flooding, and inadequate development despite ten years of BJP representation. In 2020, Chaurasia defeated CPI(ML)L's Shashi Yadav by over 46,000 votes.
Grassroots Campaign Against Traditional Politics
Divya Gautam conducts door-to-door canvassing through narrow lanes wrapped in scarves representing the flags of CPI(ML)L, RJD, and Congress, the key Mahagathbandhan constituents. She greets residents with folded hands and distributes pamphlets, contrasting sharply with BJP MP Manoj Tiwari's rally for Chaurasia. Gautam has turned to crowdfunding instead of big donors, challenging the notion that only wealthy candidates can contest. An alumna of Patna Women's College with MA degrees in Journalism and Women's Studies, she is pursuing a PhD and formerly taught as assistant professor. Despite clearing the Bihar Public Service Commission exam, she chose academia and activism over government service to retain freedom of expression. In 2012, she narrowly lost the Patna University Students' Union presidential election to an ABVP candidate despite limited financial resources.
Voters Express Frustration Over Lack of Development
Residents across Digha voice strong dissatisfaction with incumbent Chaurasia's performance over two terms. Locals accuse him of remaining largely absent except during campaigns. Sahdev Kumar claims no real development occurred despite a decade of BJP representation. Sudhir Prashad highlights inadequate sanitation, with garbage collection happening only fortnightly. Mohammad Ikram complains of persistent flooding during rains, a problem unchanged under twenty years of Nitish Kumar's government, citing growing inflation and corruption. First-time voter Karan Kumar laments poor college infrastructure and limited job opportunities, expressing hope for youth-led governance under Tejashwi Yadav. Several voters dismiss BJP's jungle raj narrative, arguing that despite Lalu Prasad's era ending, the Nitish government failed to deliver despite two decades in power.
Source: Link