Lok Sabha polls 2019: Bihar grand alliance leaders upset over tickets

Patna: The allotment of seats has turned out to be a major disappointment for many in the grand alliance. Reports suggest that many leaders who were denied ticket may consider contesting Lok Sabha elections as independent candidates. Senior RJD leader Mohammad Ashraf Ali Fatmi is among those who may file nomination against the grand alliance candidate from Madhubani constituency.

Talking to this newspaper he said, “I am disappointed after party didn’t give me a ticket. I have won four Lok Sabha elections and I must know the reasons why I was not given a ticket”.

Fatmi is considered a strong minority face in the Mithilanchal region. He had won four Lok Sabha elections but was defeated by BJP nominee Kirti Azad in 2014 by 34,000 votes. “I have remained loyal to Lalu Yadav and RJD for almost thirty years. I still can’t figure out why my party denied ticket to me. I am consulting my supporters and I will make an announcement soon”, Mohammad Ashraf Ali Fatmi said.

Mr Fatmi is currently camping in Darbhanga and discussing the issue with his supporters.

Former Vaishali MP Lovely Anand is also reportedly upset after she was denied ticket this time. She had recently joined Congress on the assurance of getting a ticket from Sheohar constituency.

Her husband Anand Mohan is in jail in the murder case of Gopalganj district magistrate G. Krishnaiya. Political analysts are of the opinion that sizeable Rajput voters may side with her if she contests against grand alliance candidate.

As per the seat sharing formula, Sheohar seat has been given to the RJD. According to sources here, “the announcement for Sheohar has been delayed because Tej Pratap Yadav wants one of his close aides to contest from the seat”.

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