Campaigning for Bikramganj Lok Sabha byelection ends

Bikramganj, Dec 27 (UNI) Hectic campaigning came to an end this evening for the December 29 Bikramganj Lok Sabha byelection in Bihar which is apparently a contest restricted only between the NDA and UPA candidates.

The constituency, often described as a sleeping hamlet, has seen many kingmakers who had made a beeline to woo the voters as they found Bikramganj, a prestige issue for their popularity among the have nots.

Many Union Ministers and other leaders including RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, JD(U) national president Sharad Yadav, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP chief Mayawati, visited the constituency to seek votes from the people, who by and large remain ignored until the next polling, said a political observer.

The campaign also exposed cracks in the UPA as one of its prominent allies, the LJP and Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan extended support to CPI(ML) candidate Arun Kumar Singh instead of RJD candidate Ashok Kumar Kushwaha.

The RJD is also an ally of the UPA government at the Centre.

The NCP which had decided to field its candidate ultimately changed its strategy and extended support to the RJD candidate.

BSP candidate Baliram Mishra is banking upon the Dalit vote bank as Mayawati sought support from the people of Bihar.

However, being the part of ruling coalition in the state, JD(U) candidate Meena Singh has a slight edge over her rivals.

Ms Singh is widow of Ajit Singh, JD(U), who represented the constituency. The former MP died in a road accident in Siwan.

About 1.3 million voters are expected to cast their vote at 1434 polling booths.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for peaceful election.

The administration has issued shoot-at-sight orders to check the activities of trouble mongers, who usually try to disrupt the poll process.

Apart from district police and Bihar Military Police, paramilitary forces would also be deployed during the polling in the constituency.

UNI