Patna: Around 60 per cent of voting was recorded for the five Lok Sabha seats that went to polls in Bihar in the third phase of polling on Tuesday.
RJD from the grand alliance and JD(U) of NDA were locked in a fierce battle on three seats. While two NDA partners BJP and LJP contested on one seat each.
Of the five seats that went to polls on Tuesday three are currently being held by the grand alliance and two by the NDA.
In Madhepura, sitting MP Pappu Yadav’s entry into the poll fray as Independent candidate made the contest triangular.
In 2014 Pappu Yadav had contested on RJD ticket and defeated JD(U)’s nominee Sharad Yadav from the seat. However, this time RJD nominated Sharad Yad-av against senior JD(U) leader and state disaster management minister Dinesh Chandra Yadav.
The overall percentage recorded after the third phase of polling on Tuesday in Madhepura was 59.12 per cent. Sources said Sharad Yadav, a four-time MP, is banking on RJD’s traditional Muslim-Yadav (M-Y) and EBC vote bank.
As per an assessment, Yadavs are about 22 per cent, Muslims 12 per cent and Dalit 13.5 per cent in the constituency.
Political analysts claim that division of votes in Madhepura is likely as three political heavyweights belonging to the same caste (Yadavs) are locked in a do or die battle.
“JD(U) nominee Dinesh Yadav may gain in case Yadav votes splits in Madhepura. Pappu Yadav has made the fight triangular”, Sources said.
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