Kanhaiya Kumar shown black flags in Begusarai

PATNA/BEGUSARAI: The political atmosphere in Begusarai has stated hotting up as CPI candidate and former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar’s roadshow faced rough weather in Lohia Nagar locality of the town on Wednesday. A few youths took out black flags and shouted slogans like ‘Kanhaiya go back’ when his roadshow entered the area. Kanhaiya is pitted against firebrand BJP candidate and Union minister Giriraj Singh and Tanveer Hassan of RJD.

Local All India Students’ Front (AISF) functionary Sajag Singh said his front workers first tried to pacify the protesting youths. However, they remained adamant on their stance of showing black flags. The Kanhaiya show moved on only after police intervention. Sajag said no one was hurt in the incident.

“They want to provoke the workers of CPI and its affiliates into a fight. That is their old gameplan,” state CPI secretariat member Vijay Narayan Mishra said at Patna. Mishra said the party is focused on abiding by the poll process as per the model code of conduct.

The attention of the contenders appeared to be riveted on making preparations for the filing of nomination papers. While Giriraj is slated to file his papers on April 6, Tanveer would do it on April 8 and Kanhaiya would submit his nomination papers on the last date on April 9.

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) national vice-president Santosh Ranjan Rai, who is looking after Giriraj’s campaign, said the BJP nominee would conduct a roadshow in the town on April 6 while on way to the filing of nomination papers. Later, a public meeting would also be held on the playground of G D College. The state BJP’s senior leaders – Sushil Kumar Modi, Mangal Pandey and Samrat Choudhary, along with minister Shrawan Kumar from JD(U) and Lok Janshakti Party’s nominee, would accompany him.

Similarly, Kanhaiya would also hold a roadshow through the town on April 9 while on way to filing the nomination papers. The party’s senior national functionaries – K Naraina and Ramendra Kumar – besides intellectuals, writers, film artistes, social workers, his friends at JNU and youths, would participate in it. A public meeting would also be held on the day.

RJD state general secretary Chitranjan Gagan said Tanveer would file the nomination papers on April 8. RJD state president Ram Chandra Purbey, among others, would be with him.