Lok Sabha elections 2019: Five years on, Buxar readies for a 2014 rematch

As the poll drums fell silent, with campaigning coming to an end in Buxar, the stillness in Buxar appeared to be a lull before a storm. If the mood on the ground in the constituency is anything to go by, the fight in store two days from now will be anything but one-sided. 

The main fight in this constituency, on the western fringes of Bihar, is a repeat of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls: with sitting BJP MP and Union Minister Ashwani Kumar Choubey facing off with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) stalwart Jagadanand Singh. Choubey, riding the Modi wave, defeated Singh by 132,334 votes in 2014. With the caste equations changing and rising disenchantment against Choubey, the fight for the incumbent is expected to be much harder this time around. 

“There is only one issue in this election — to re-elect Narendra Modi,” Choubey said in an assertive tone, adding, “Modi is essential for security of this country. For us, country comes first, then party and an individual thereafter. On the other hand, for our opponents, individual comes first, then party and nation is last on their priority list. There is a big Modi wave across the country.”

On the other hand, Jagadanand Singh claims to be fighting the election on issues of farm distress, unemployment and black money. “This government destroyed farmers and village economy. While farmers are committing suicide, the Modi government allowed Nirav Modi and Mallya to run away. They promised 20 million jobs, but in reality the unemployment is at its peak today. If Choubey ji is such a good candidate, why did he run away from Bhagalpur?”

Singh is from Bhagalpur and represented the constituency in the Assembly.

Choubey has had star campaigners, including Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, UP CM Yogi Adityanath address rallies for him.

“The perception that he is an outsider has taken its root in Buxar,” said Sarubh Bharti, a shopkeeper in Buxar and a BJP supporter, adding that he could have done much more for his constituency. Choubey supporters, however, are confident that the upper castes, particularly Brahmins, would standing behind him.

RJD supporters, on their part, are upbeat. “Jagadanand Singh has the support of the Rajputs, Yadavs, Muslims and backward castes. Even the general castes are unhappy with the performance of the Modi government. It would be a comfortable victory for Singh,” said Ramesh Mishra, a government employee.