BJP ‘plays up’ Prem card to woo EBC voters

Patna,(BiharTimes): As the BJP-led NDA is facing a tough challenge from the grand alliance it has––at least on a limited scale––started floating the name of an Extremely Backward Caste leader as the chief ministerial candidate.

Though no official announcement has been made political observers are surprised over the way the Gaya Town MLA, Prem Kumar, has been attending the rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has shared dais with the PM for at least four times since his Muzaffarpur rally of July 25 last.

As Prem himself is facing a challenge from Congress candidate from Gaya, who is his casteman, Kahar, a section of the BJP is trying to spread the rumour that the former is the party’s chief ministerial candidate.

Politically Prem’s stature is no match to the likes of Sushil Kumar Modi, yet it can not be denied that he is among the longest serving MLAs of the party. He has been representing Gaya Town seat since 1990.

When BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said in the town on Sunday that after winning the election Prem Kumar “Gaya ka naam raushan karenge” (would bring laurels to Gaya) gossips started doing the rounds that he may be entrusted with the responsibility of chief ministership once the party wins the election.

But a day later Shahnawaz clarified and said that he never meant that he is a CM candidate and cautioned the media not to read too much into the remarks.

He reitereated that the BJP parliamentary board would decide who would become the next CM after the NDA wins the election.

Analysts agree with what Shahnawaz said, but there is no denying the fact that the BJP plays up names as per the situation. “As the party is confronting a big tussle, both in Gaya as well as in entire Bihar, what is wrong in floating the name of Prem Kumar, an EBC,” commented a Bihar watcher.