In Bihar’s Khagaria Assembly constituency, voters are desperate for a change, worn down by a persistent lack of basic facilities and job prospects. As election season heats up, all eyes are on the candidates and their grand promises.
The race in Khagaria features Congress candidate Chandan Kumar, also known as Chandan Yadav, against Janata Dal (United) leader Bablu Kumar Mandal. Voters are eagerly awaiting concrete action plans to tackle the region’s enduring problems.
Chandan Yadav, known for his clean political record with no criminal cases, is campaigning with a strong pledge to revitalize Khagaria. The 53-year-old, who holds a Ph.D. from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), previously ran unsuccessfully in the 2020 Assembly election from the Beldaur seat, where he was defeated by JD(U)’s Pannal Lal Singh Patel. Despite that, his party has given him another chance in Khagaria, replacing the incumbent Congress MLA, Chatrapati Yadav.
The sitting MLA, Chatrapati Yadav, publicly expressed his displeasure at being denied a ticket, alleging that Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru and a ‘syndicate that sold tickets’ were behind the decision.
As the first phase of the election nears its conclusion, both candidates are tirelessly campaigning. During a canvassing stop in Mansi panchayat, Chandan Yadav highlighted Khagaria’s potential: “Khagaria is renowned for four key products: fish, vegetables, corn, and milk. There’s immense scope for the fisheries sector here. This region, often called the ‘corn bowl,’ once supplied vegetables to numerous districts, and milk production is another significant industry.”
He continued, “These four agricultural sectors could significantly boost farmers’ incomes. Unfortunately, the BJP and JD(U) have failed to recognize their importance, and this neglect has led us to a challenging situation. I have a clear plan and model to bring about change; I just need the opportunity.”
Khagaria’s unique geography, surrounded by seven rivers—Ganga, Budhi Gandak, Koshi, Kareh, Kali Koshi, Kamla, and Bagmati—makes it highly susceptible to frequent monsoon floods. Villagers voiced their frustration, noting that no leader has effectively addressed this fundamental issue, which severely disrupts their lives.
The region also suffers from high rates of migration, with many young people leaving Khagaria to find manual labor in other states, taking on jobs like climbing electric poles, carrying heavy loads, or pulling rickshaws. The lack of major industries in Khagaria forces them to seek livelihoods elsewhere.
Nilesh Kumar, a resident of Bakhtiyar village, lamented, “Every election, leaders visit our villages with a flood of promises. We face countless difficulties, and migration is a huge concern, as most of our youngsters have moved to other states. Nobody wants to leave their family to earn a living far from home. Khagaria remains socially and economically backward.”
Villagers also complained about the absence of open spaces for youth to train for police and army jobs, forcing them to practice running on unsafe roads, often leading to injuries.
In Khagaria town, residents expressed deep disappointment over the inadequate drainage system, which results in prolonged waterlogging. Amrintanshu Ranjan, a Gaushala Road resident, shared, “We always wear half-pants when going to coaching classes or other places because you never know when you’ll encounter knee-deep water. So, we change out of our full-pants to wade through the stagnant, dirty water to reach our destinations.”
Furthermore, the scarcity of quality hospitals and skilled surgeons forces Khagaria residents to travel to Begusarai and Bhagalpur for medical treatment.
On the other side, Bablu Kumar Mandal, 47, also boasts a clean record, free of criminal charges. He, too, is relentlessly campaigning to win over voters. As the Khagaria district president of the JD(U), and a long-time associate of the party, Mandal hails from an Other Backward Class (OBC) community.
During his door-to-door campaign in Bhadas panchayat, Mandal stated, “My goal is to develop Khagaria and transform this Assembly constituency into the best in the district. I am committed to solving the problems faced by farmers, whether in milk production or fisheries. I understand their struggles because I remain deeply connected to my roots. I’ve witnessed the pain of poor farmers forced to sell their land to afford their daughters’ weddings.”
He promised that upon becoming an MLA, he would promptly urge Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to address the challenges confronting Khagaria’s farmers.
The constituency comprises a diverse voter base, including Vaishya, Yadav, Dalit, Muslim, Brahman, Bhumihar, Koeri, Kurmi, and Mallah communities. Historically, the Congress has secured this seat five times, JD(U) thrice, and BJP twice.
Recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi campaigned in Khagaria to support Chandan Yadav, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah also visited the region to bolster support for NDA candidates.