In a last-minute political shift, VIP leader Mukesh Sahni withdraws Santosh Sahni’s candidature, urging party workers to back Mohammad Afzal Ali Khan of RJD
NEW DELHI – Just hours before the end of campaigning for the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections on Tuesday, the Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP) withdrew its candidate, Santosh Sahni, from the Gaura Bauram seat in Darbhanga district. The party announced full support for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) nominee, Mohammad Afzal Ali Khan, a Muslim leader with strong local influence.
The decision, announced by VIP chief Mukesh Sahni at a press conference, is seen as a calculated move to prevent the division of secular and minority votes that could otherwise help the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
“This decision was not easy, but it was necessary,” Mukesh Sahni told reporters. “We do not want a split in the Grand Alliance. If the RJD candidate wins, the government will be formed by the Grand Alliance. Our goal is to form the government, not just win one seat.”
The Gaura Bauram constituency, which has a large Muslim population, had been at the centre of tension within the Mahagathbandhan after both RJD and VIP fielded candidates. Political observers had warned that the split in secular votes might give the NDA, led by the BJP, a decisive edge.
A political analyst in Patna said, “When two allies compete on the same seat, it divides the very voters they need to unite. VIP’s withdrawal is an attempt to consolidate the minority and secular vote, though it raises questions about the alliance’s earlier coordination.”
The decision came shortly after Tejashwi Yadav, the chief ministerial candidate of the Mahagathbandhan, campaigned in the area. While he had earlier urged people to support the VIP candidate, the new development forced the alliance to realign its strategy.
Tejashwi Yadav, while addressing a rally in Gaura Bauram before the withdrawal, had said, “Don’t be misled by anyone. This is an election to build Bihar and save the Constitution. It’s an election to overthrow a 20-year-old government.”
Local party workers said that although the timing caused some confusion, the message of unity was quickly circulated among grassroot workers. “Our leaders have clarified the situation. We will now work with honesty and unity to ensure victory for the RJD,” said a local VIP worker.
Sources in Darbhanga reported that booth-level teams have begun coordinating to transfer VIP votes to Mohammad Afzal Ali Khan. The focus is now on ensuring that the message reaches every voter, a worker said before the polling day.
Political experts believe this tactical withdrawal could significantly reshape the contest. If VIP’s supporters successfully shift their votes to Afzal Ali Khan, the Grand Alliance stands to consolidate its hold over the minority and secular electorate. However, if the vote transfer is incomplete, the NDA might benefit from a divided opposition.
“The success of this strategy depends on how effectively the alliance translates its message into votes at the ground level,” said a local observer.
Mukesh Sahni emphasised that the move was about more than one constituency. “This is not about individual ambition. It is about unity and the return of a government that represents all communities in Bihar,” he said.
The incident highlights the fragility of seat-sharing arrangements within the Mahagathbandhan. Despite previous coordination, overlapping nominations led to confusion in several constituencies. Analysts believe the late change in Gaura Bauram reflects the urgency within the alliance to avoid a repeat of past mistakes.
As the campaign drew to a close, Gaura Bauram emerged as a symbolic battleground for secular and minority solidarity. For many Muslim voters, the move reinforced a shared belief that unity among secular parties is essential to stop communal polarisation.
With polling scheduled for 6 November in the first phase and 11 November for the next, all eyes are now on Darbhanga. Election officials said turnout patterns and vote transfers will reveal whether the Grand Alliance’s strategy pays off.
The decision by Mukesh Sahni has been widely interpreted as a sign of political maturity and solidarity with Bihar’s Muslims. Community members welcomed the decision, viewing it as a reminder that unity is the only way to counter communal politics.
A local voter from Gaura Bauram said, “It’s good to see leaders thinking beyond their personal interests. Muslims in Bihar want peace, jobs, and dignity. We support those who stand with us.”
As Bihar heads to the polls, the Gaura Bauram episode stands out as an example of political realism — and the understanding that only a united front can challenge the ruling establishment.
