Nalanda litmus test for JD(U) -RJD alliance

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s home turf Nalanda will prove to be a litmus test for the JDU-RJD alliance as the dominant castes in the region--- Kurmis and Yadav have for long been rivals here.

Whether they joins hands in the name of larger OBC unity or not will be at play in Nalanda, which will reflect the voting pattern for the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. BJP has demanded deployment of Special Observer in Nalanda from the date of polling to that of counting.

Amid a perception that the NDA has lagged behind in first two phases, the BJP-led alliance is banking big on the third phase of polling on October 28 in 50 Assembly constituencies in six districts. While it is confident of scoring in urban centres like Patna and BJP strongholds including Saran, Bhojpur and Buxar, the party is also leaving no stone unturned to spring a surprise in Nalanda as it tries hard to compensate for any losses in the first two phases.

Yadavs constitute 14 percent of the total electorates while Kurmis are 4 per cent in the state. While Yadavs are spread across the state, Kurmis are concentrated mainly in Nalanda and some other areas.