Patna Sahib Constituency: Lawyer Ratnesh Kushwaha To Take On IIT Graduate Shashant Shekhar

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has replaced its veteran legislator Nand Kishore Yadav with first-time candidate Ratnesh Kushwaha in the Patna Sahib constituency. Yadav, 72, a seven-time MLA and Speaker of the outgoing Assembly, had held the seat since its creation following the 2008 delimitation.

The Congress has also opted for a fresh face, fielding 35-year-old Shashant Shekhar to contest against Kushwaha. An IIT-IIM alumnus from the Yadav community, Shekhar previously worked with Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor during his tenure at the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC).

Patna Sahib, an urban constituency named in honor of Guru Gobind Singh's birthplace, has long been a BJP bastion. It falls under the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat, currently represented by senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad since 2019.

The constituency's voter base is dominated by Vaishyas, traditionally aligned with the BJP, alongside significant numbers from OBC groups such as Yadavs, Kurmis, and Kushwahas. While Vaishyas remain core BJP supporters, Yadavs and Muslims form the backbone of the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan alliance.

In the 2020 elections, Nand Kishore Yadav defeated Congress candidate Pravin Singh Kushwaha by a margin of 18,300 votes. This time, the Congress has shifted Pravin to Kahalgaon in Bhagalpur, where he faces a "friendly fight" with RJD's Rajnish Bharti.

Key Pointers

BJP's incumbency advantage in urban Patna area works in their favour.

Opposition will need to win over urban disenchantment, youth migration issues, and low turnout areas to upset BJP.

Urban turnout remains lower and volatile; mobilisation matters.

Edge: Quite clearly with NDA/BJP. Unless something unusual happens, BJP is expected to hold this seat.