To Counter Smaller Parties, Rahul Gandhi to Campaign in Bihar's Seemanchal

The Congress Vice President is scheduled to address the rallies in Kishanganj and Katihar districts on October 30th.

New Delhi:  In order to counter smaller parties like Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), who could upset the apple cart of the grand alliance between Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress, Rahul Gandhi will address two election rallies in the crucial region of Seemanchal of Bihar.

The Congress Vice President is scheduled to address the rallies in Kishanganj and Katihar districts on October 30th.

Both the districts have large Muslim population, which play a decisive role in results. The Asaduddin Owaisi led MIM which is making a debut in Bihar elections has chosen to field candidates including rebels from established parties, in the Seemanchal region. This could dent the grand alliance’s chances in the region, which is pitched in a tough battle against the BJP led National Democratic Alliance.

A third front of six parties which includes Samajwadi Party (SP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Pappu Yadav’s Jan Adhikar Party-Loktantrik (JAP-L), Samras Samaj Party (SSP), Nationalists Peoples Party (NPP), and Samajwadi Janata Party, is also contesting the assembly elections.

This front has named NCP leader Tariq Anwar as their chief ministerial candidate, who currently represents Katihar constituency in parliament.

Voting will take place in Kishanganj and Katihar in the last phase on November 5, when the maximum of 57 Assembly constituencies go to the polls on a single day.