Bihar: Two-Time BJP MP Ajay Nishad Joins Congress Over Being Denied Lok Sabha Ticket From Muzaffarpur

Two-time BJP MP from Bihar's Muzaffarpur, Ajay Nishad joined Congress on Tuesday (2 April) as he was denied a ticket by the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing BJP national president JP Nadda, Nishad wrote on social media platform X earlier today that he was "shocked by the betrayal of BJP" and is resigning from all posts and primary membership of the party.

Later, he joined Congress in the presence of Pawan Khera and said, "Today I became a member of Congress. If there is an order from the high command, I will come to the court of the public."

Notably, in its fifth list released on 24 March, BJP replaced only three incumbent Bihar MPs and repeated rest all. Nawada is a new seat for the BJP and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Thakur is fielded from here.

Muzaffarpur was one of the seats where sitting BJP MP was denied a ticket, along with Buxar and Sasaram. Ajay Nishad was replaced by Rajbhushan Chaudhary Nishad.

Ajay had defeated Rajbhushan in the 2019 elections when the latter was member of Mukesh Sahani-led Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP). However, since VIP is no longer a part of the BJP-led NDA, the BJP got Rajbhushan Chaudhary Nishad on its side.

With giving him a ticket, the BJP has told voters that the party is aware of anti-incumbency in the constituency and is not hesitant of taking corrective measure when necessary.

Secondly, by choosing Rajbhushan, the party has indicated its intention of making VIP irrelevant in the region, which mostly dependent on the votes of Mallah (fishing) community.