Darbhanga: In a dramatic political twist in Bihar’s Darbhanga district, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) candidate Santosh Sahni withdrew from the Gaura Bauram assembly race just hours after RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav publicly sought votes for him.
The announcement was made by VIP chief Mukesh Sahni — Santosh Sahni’s brother — during a press conference on Tuesday evening, immediately after the campaign period had ended. Mukesh Sahni declared that his party would now support RJD candidate Mohammad Afzal Ali Khan in the upcoming polls.
Earlier that afternoon, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial face, had released a video message from his car urging voters to back Santosh Sahni. “We appeal to all of you to vote for our brother Santosh Sahni by pressing the ‘boat’ button,” he said, calling the election a fight to “save the Constitution, democracy, and build a new Bihar.”
However, by evening, the political narrative had shifted. Announcing his brother’s withdrawal, Mukesh Sahni said the move was aimed at consolidating secular votes and preventing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) from retaining power. “Our goal is to remove the NDA and strengthen the Grand Alliance. Supporting Afzal Ali Khan ensures the unity of secular forces,” he told reporters.
The development came amid confusion over Afzal Ali Khan’s status within the RJD. Just a day earlier, reports had claimed that Khan had been expelled from the party for six years. Khan later dismissed the reports on social media, calling the expulsion letter “fake”.
The uncertainty had left the Gaura Bauram seat appearing shaky for the Grand Alliance. Mukesh Sahni’s endorsement of Khan is now seen as a strategic move to stabilise the alliance’s prospects in the region.
