Purnea Showdown: Congress Disowns Pappu Yadav To Back RJD's Bima Bharti

New Delhi: Ahe of crucial Lok Sabha elections, Opposition’s rainbow alliance seems to be failing in putting up a show against Bharatiya Janata Party and divide is more evident in states like Bihar. Despite Bima Bharti h filed her nomination from Purnea Lok Sabha seat as a RJD candidate, former MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yav has also jumped into fray. 

Purnea Lok Sabha seat has been a bone of contention between Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal- two constituents of INDI alliance. While JDU turncoat Bima Bharti h joined Rashtriya Janata Dal on condition of contesting upcoming Lok Sabha election from Purnea, Pappu Yav joined Congress last week, merging Jan hikar Party (JAP) which he founded in 2015. 

How Politics Unfolded Over Purnea 

As he joined Congress, Pappu Yav claimed that he will be contesting from Purnea as INDI alliance candidate. He claimed that he h “assurance” from Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. 

However, his attempt was thwarted as Lalu Yav claimed not just Purnea and Mhepura but also Supaul for his party. 

Lalu Yav gave party symbol to Bima Bharti, who filed her nomination papers on Wednesday. “I have filed my nomination today.

 "It is everyone's right to contest elections. I will request him (Congress leer Pappu Yav) to support me,” said Bima Bharti after filing her nomination papers for upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Purnea seat. 

Yav also expressed wish for a "friendly fight" in Purnea, citing example of Wayan in Kerala where Rahul Gandhi's re-election is being challenged by Annie Raja of CPI, despite party being an INDI bloc ally like Congress. Congress' Bihar unit, however, seems reluctant for any of fight with RJD, on which it has become heavily dependent over years, having itself become a spent force in state.

Pappu Yav Files Nomination From Purnea 

Just a day later on April 4, Pappu Yav filed his nomination as an independent candidate. 

Pappu Yav said that he h requested Lalu Yav to allow him to contest from Purnea, but he refused. “I said same thing to Lalu Yav with folded hands that I will definitely win from Purnea if I get to contest. I received a call from RJD leer suggesting that I should contest from Mhepura. I said it would be  suicidal for me if I leave this place," said Pappu Yav. 

Pappu Yav said that he asked RJD leer if he could contest on a RJD ticket as seat has gone to party under seat-sharing arrangement, but was refused. “I said that I will contest on a RJD ticket from Purnea, and we can shift Bima Bharti to Mhepura,” said Pappu Yav. 

Pappu Yav debuted in politics in 1990 when he contested in Bihar Assembly elections as an independent candidate from Mhepura. A five-time MP, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yav h defeated hen JD(U) president Shar Yav in Mhepura in 2014 general elections, however, he lost 2020 Bihar assembly elections. 

Pappu Yav Vs Lalu Yav in Bihar

Pappu Yav was aware that his decision to join Congress party may hurt Lalu Yav and mindful of fact, he h sought ailing septuagenarian's blessings before joining national party. He went to meet Lalu Yav and Tejashwi Yav at ir residence. 

After Bima Bharti announced her candidature, Pappu Yav even postponed his nomination in order to mend ties with Lalu Yav. “I have asked for just one seat and said if you're having a problem with Congress, I'll join you but allow me to contest from Purnea. You have taken Supaul, Purnea, Mhepura, and Araria and left no place for Congress to field Pappu Yav. ‘Arthi Ugi Purnea Se Aur Liptegi Congress Ke Jhande Me’,” said Pappu Yav. 

He said, "I have waited and postponed my nomination thinking Lalu Yav would bless me as a son, but very first nomination y did was against Pappu Yav, I am left with no or option." 

re are two popular opinions over tussle between Lalu Yav and Pappu Yav. While one camp suggests that Lalu Yav doesn't wish to allow rise or anor Yav leer, anors say that Lalu Yav has taken decision owing to past instances. Notably, JAP was floated a year after Pappu Yav won Mhepura Lok Sabha seat on an RJD ticket but was expelled by RJD chief Lalu Yav. 

Congress Disowns Pappu Yav 

As Pappu Yav filed his nomination as an independent candidate, Bihar Congress chief Akhilesh Pras Singh objected to his decision. Comparing Yav's decision with Congress leer Nikhil Kumar, Bihar party chief said, "We didn't get Aurangab seat. Nikhil Kumar was our candidate but he didn't file nomination. Nobody is allowed to file nomination after Mahagathbandhan."