Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to host a public meeting in Rohaniya, a segment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency, on December 24, as part of his campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Confirmed by Bihar minister Shravan Kumar, this rally marks Kumar's initiation into the election season. The focus will extend beyond Varanasi to regions like Azamgarh, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Phulpur, Ambedkar Nagar, and Mirzapur. Kumar criticized the BJP, alleging a focus on caste and religion, while emphasizing his party's commitment to brotherhood and love. He also addressed delays in strategizing due to mistakes within the INDIA bloc and assured a concrete plan for the Lok Sabha elections. Rohaniya, with a significant Patel population, holds sway in local elections, making it a crucial constituency for political campaigns. Kumar's rallies signal pre-poll positioning, keeping speculation alive about his potential candidacy in Uttar Pradesh and urging the Congress to acknowledge regional players' importance in certain states.
Key Points
1. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is scheduled to conduct a public meeting in Rohaniya, part of PM Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency, on December 24, as part of the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
2. Shravan Kumar, Bihar minister and JD(U) secretary, confirmed the program after finalizing the venue for Nitish Kumar's rally in Rohaniya.
3. This rally marks Nitish Kumar's first for the Lok Sabha elections, with a focus on regions such as Varanasi, Azamgarh, Pratapgarh, Prayagraj, Phulpur, Ambedkar Nagar, and Mirzapur.
4. Nitish Kumar criticized the BJP, alleging that caste and religion are on their agenda, while his agenda revolves around "brotherhood and love."
5. Targeting the Congress, Kumar acknowledged delays in formulating a strategy for the Lok Sabha elections but emphasized ongoing efforts to avoid further mistakes and develop a concrete strategy.
6. Rohaniya, a Patel majority assembly constituency in Varanasi, holds significance in every assembly election since 2012.
7. The proposed UP rallies by Kumar are seen as pre-poll posturing, keeping speculation alive about his contesting from the state and sending a subtle message to the Congress to concede space to regional players in states where it lacks a strong presence.
8. Kumar's rallies are strategically planned in key UP locations, including Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Prayagraj, to influence the substantial presence of most backward communities.
9. Kumar, a Kurmi, aims to appeal to the nearly eight percent Kurmi population, potentially influencing outcomes in about 12 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
10. The rallies are seen as a move to challenge the BJP's confidence in a good performance in UP and convey a message to the Congress about the importance of regional players in states where it lacks substantial influence.
(With Agency Inputs)
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