Patna: Shambhavi Choudhary, hailed as the youngest Dalit woman candidate set to contest the Lok Sabha polls, has emerged as a formidable force, poised to make her mark in the political arena. Following the announcement of her candidature from the reserved seat of Samastipur in north-central Bihar under the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Shambhavi has wasted no time in asserting her presence amidst the political clamor.
The daughter of JD(U) Minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary and daughter-in-law of former IPS officer and philanthropist Acharya Kishore Kunal, Shambhavi, at just 25 years old, has quickly dispelled any doubts about her political acumen. Following a meeting with her party president Chirag Paswan in Patna, she delivered a resounding retort to critics who dismissed her as another “nepo-kid” and outsider in her constituency.
Responding to allegations of nepotism with steely resolve, Shambhavi remarked, “At least, I am not a 10th or 12th class fail person. I was still pursuing my PhD before my candidature was announced and have done quite some work in social and education field in personal capacity.”
The statement appeared to be a thinly veiled jab at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Bihar’s principal opposition party, led by former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who himself is a class 10 dropout, along with his elder brother and former minister Tej Pratap Yadav, who holds a class 12 qualification. Their father Lalu Prasad is the former Bihar Chief Minister and national president of RJD.
In a humble yet assertive manner, Shambhavi addressed her critics head-on, stating, “Nepotism in politics can only provide an easy passage for communicating with the electorate. However, my political career will be decided only by the people.” Emphasizing her commitment to democratic principles, she added, “I am here only as a representative for the people, of the people and by the people.”
Displaying both confidence and eloquence in her political debut, Shambhavi emphasized the independence of her political decisions from her familial lineage. “As far as getting the ticket for contesting in the polls is concerned, it has been an approach of my husband and I, independent from my father,” she asserted.
Addressing the electoral landscape in Samastipur, Shambhavi exuded optimism for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), confidently predicting victory for all five Lok Janshakti Party candidates in Bihar. “We, the five candidates of LJP (Ram Vilas), are Pandavs and we all will win,” she declared, expressing her conviction in the NDA’s success in all 40 parliamentary seats in Bihar and over 400 seats across the country.
When questioned about her vision for Samastipur’s development, Shambhavi outlined a comprehensive plan focusing on women and youth empowerment, education, health, and economic independence. “I would work for a new and developed Samastipur for the coming generations,” she affirmed, underlining her commitment to grassroots initiatives with focus on Jeevika Didis and Tola Sevaks.
Regarding her educational background, Shambhavi detailed her academic journey from Notre Dame Academy in Patna to Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi University for graduation, culminating in a Master’s degree in Sociology from Delhi University, with an ongoing pursuit of a PhD from Magadh University.
As the electoral battle intensifies, all eyes remain firmly fixed on this rising star in Bihar’s political firmament.
