Patna: The curtain of suspense has finally dropped over the Chhapra Assembly seat, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) making a bold, celebrity-driven move by nominating Chanda Devi, the wife of Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav, as its candidate. The decision, which clarifies the RJD’s strategy for the crucial seat, has immediately reshaped the political calculus in the area.
BJP’s Changing Strategy
The Chhapra constituency has traditionally been a stronghold for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), currently represented by two-term incumbent MLA Dr. CN Gupta. However, in a surprising strategic pivot, the BJP decided not to renominate Dr. Gupta, opting instead for Chhoti Kumari as its official candidate for the 2025 elections.
This shift has created internal dissent, most notably from former Mayor Rakhi Gupta. Denied a ticket by the BJP, Gupta chose to rebel against the party’s decision, announcing her candidacy as an independent. On Wednesday, she filed her nomination amidst a show of support, injecting another layer of complexity into the contest. Gupta is a familiar figure, known for her long-standing activity within the Chhapra Assembly segment and her close contact with the local party organization.
The Three-Way Challenge
The contest in Chhapra is now set to be a significant three-way battle: RJD’s celebrity muscle via Chanda Devi, the BJP’s renewed faith in Chhoti Kumari, and the powerful local factor embodied by independent Rakhi Gupta.
Political analysts believe this strategic splintering within the incumbent party’s support base, combined with RJD’s high-profile candidate, could significantly impact the electoral dynamics.
The constituency’s demographics are highly diverse, featuring substantial numbers of voters from the Yadav, Rajput, Brahmin, Baniya, and Muslim communities. Experts suggest that caste and social dynamics will be paramount in determining the outcome. With the votes potentially fracturing between Chhoti Kumari and Rakhi Gupta, the path for RJD’s Chanda Devi could be made easier, though the challenge for all three contenders has certainly increased in this unpredictable race.
