Bihar: Siwan Heats Up as Hina Shahab Enters Fray as Independent Candidate

Siwan: As the May 25 voting date for Siwan approaches under the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, political discussions have intensified surrounding this seat, notably with Hina Shahab, the wife of the late former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, announcing her candidacy as an independent. Hina Shahab aims to reclaim her husband’s legacy and send a message to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) through her candidacy.

The RJD, which has historically relied on the MY equation (Muslim-Yadav) for its politics in Siwan since the 90s, has yet to officially name its candidate. Siwan’s parliamentary seat has eluded the RJD since 2009, with the NDA securing victories. The significance of this seat is evident as Janata Dal (United) (JDU), an NDA constituent, chose not to field sitting MP Kavita Singh, instead nominating Vijay Lakshmi, the wife of former Ziradei MLA Ramesh Singh Kushwaha.

Speculations about Hina Shahab contesting independently arose following Shahabuddin’s death from COVID-19. The growing distance between Hina Shahab and the RJD led to her non-affiliation declaration during a recent event in Los Seat.

NDA announced its candidates, banking on Vijay Lakshmi to attract votes from the EBC (Extremely Backward Class) and cadre voters. Meanwhile, Hena Shahab’s independent candidacy poses a challenge to the RJD, as it attempts to maintain its hold on Muslim voters, traditionally a stronghold.

The challenge for Hina Shahab lies in garnering support across all sections of society independently, while the RJD faces the task of consolidating the scattered MY equation without its former candidate.