Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is contesting the Tarapur Assembly seat in Bihar, seeking a political comeback after 15 years away from direct electoral contests. As a sitting MLC and BJP candidate, he faces the RJD's Arun Shah in a constituency where caste arithmetic plays a crucial role. Tarapur has around 63,000 Yadav voters, along with significant populations of Muslims, upper castes, Kushwahas, Sahs, and Dalits. Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent remarks suggesting a bigger role for Choudhary if the NDA wins have fueled speculation about his future prospects. The Deputy CM has been campaigning extensively, visiting multiple villages and highlighting government welfare schemes. His opponent Shah had narrowly lost the 2021 bypoll by just over 3,800 votes. Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has targeted Choudhary over past allegations, but ground sentiment appears favorable toward the NDA. The election is scheduled for November 6, with voters weighing development promises against traditional caste loyalties.
Campaign Trail Through Villages and Voter Sentiments
On a Saturday afternoon, Choudhary arrived by helicopter at Rampur Nahar village, greeted by chants referencing Shah's October 30 statement about making him a bigger leader. His motorcade traversed about 25 km through a dozen villages including Sahoda, Govindpur, Kahua, and Mania. Villagers expressed pride at hosting the Deputy CM, discussing demands ranging from healthcare centers to infrastructure improvements. Women turned out in large numbers, reportedly influenced by the Dashazari scheme distributing Rs 10,000 to women. Elders praised the pension hike from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 monthly. At each stop, Choudhary visited temples and assured residents that incomplete development work would continue. The tour concluded around 6 pm as his convoy departed for Tarapur town.
Development Record and Electoral Arithmetic
Choudhary emphasized that the Nitish Kumar government increased Bihar's budget from Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 3.17 lakh crore, creating 8.5 lakh jobs over 20 years. He credited both state initiatives and central aid from Modi's government for development progress. State BJP spokesperson Jayram Biplav claimed an NDA wave across Bihar, arguing that Choudhary's Deputy CM position strengthens his candidacy. Observers note the simple electoral math combines social alliances with development credentials. While Kishor's Jan Suraaj party has campaigned in the area, voters see the contest primarily between NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. One Koeri shopkeeper bluntly stated he would support Choudhary based on shared community identity, regardless of performance considerations.
Source: Link