Heartburn in Bhagalpur over denial of ministry to its MLAs

BHAGALPUR: Absence of ministerial berth to any of the legislatures from Bhagalpur and Banka districts under Bhagalpur division, which gave 11 MLAs out of total 12 in ‘mahagathbandhan’ kitty, has come not only as a big surprise for the legislators but also as a dampener for the electorates who came out whole hog against the NDA in the very first-phase of election.
Even the party leaders and workers of JD(U), RJD and Congress are surprised over the neglect of Bhagalpur division with regard to the choice of first-timers and less experienced legislatures as ministers against the experienced legislatures of Bhagalpur division.
It may be worth to mention that barring Banka Sadar assembly constituency, all the other 11 assembly seats were wrested by ‘mahagathbandhan’ leaders.
The major winners include Rambilas Paswan (Pirpainty) - RJD, Sadanand Singh (Kahaglgaon) - Congress, Ajit Sharma (Bhagalpur) - Congress, Narendra Kumar Neeraj alias Gopal Mandal (Gopalpur) - JD(U), Varsha Rani (Bihpur) - RJD, Ajay Mandal (Nathnagar) - JD(U) and Subodh Rai (Sultanganj) - JD(U) in the assembly constituencies under Bhagalpur district.
Winners of the assembly constituencies in Banka district include Ram Narayan Mandal (Banka) - BJP, Janardhan Manjhi (Amarpur) - JD(U), Sweety Seema Hembrom (Katoria) – RJD, Girdhari Yadav (Belhar) - JD(U) and Manish Kumar (Dhoraiya) - JD(U).
According to sources, Belhar MLA Girdhari Yadav and Janardhan Manjhi were hopeful of getting ministerial berth from Banka district this time, but in vain. Local sources were pinning hope that Girdhari Yadav would definitely be included in the ministry in view of his being most experienced MLA (three terms) in the Banka district besides representing twice in the Lok Sabha, but not to be.
Most surprising is the exclusion of Congress MLA Sadanand Singh, nine-time MLA from Kahalgaon assembly constituency. Singh had been representing Kahalgaon assembly constituency since 1969. Barring 1990 and 1995 assembly elections, Singh had won all the election including in 1977 (post JP movement election) against all odds. Singh is also known to be steadfast in his loyalty to Congress.
Another surprise exclusion is of former MP from Bhagalpur and JD(U) MLA from Sultanganj Subodh Rai. A bachelor and a devoted worker, who always find pleasure in working for the welfare of people and sides with inhabitants of the region in their difficult times, Rai was also tipped to get a ministerial berth, but not to be.
When contacted, JD(U) MLA Subodh Rai said that he has no reason to feel left out. After all everyone cannot become a minister or so, added Rai saying his leader Nitish Kumar thinks positive always. Whatever opportunity he (Subodh Rai) has as an MLA, he would deliver to the best of his ability in the interest of region and people of Sultanganj, added Rai.
On the other, social activist Zeejah Hussain said that at least one minister, each from Bhagalpur and Banka district, would have been appropriate in order to give boost to developmental issues including roads, industries etc. It appears that Bhagalpur division has been deliberately debarred from a ministerial berth, added Hussain.