The political inclination in the rural and urban Patna would be put to test once again next month.
In the 2010 Assembly polls, the JDU - then an ally of the BJP - was keen to have a seat in the urban Patna. The party virtually arm-twisted BJP in giving away one of its safest seats - Digha, in the heart of the capital - and managed to get its candidate Poonam Devi elected despite grumbling in the BJP.
Five years down the line, Poonam Devi, a rebel JDU MLA, is knocking at the BJP doors for a re-nomination. "Any politician in Bihar will switch sides for a BJP ticket from urban Patna," said a senior BJP leader. Patna is just a re-test for the party to certify that its hold on city is unchanged even without an alliance with the JDU.
The Patna district has 14 seats of which the NDA won 11 and RJD got three in the Yadav-dominated Bakhtiyarpur, Maner and Fatuha in 2010. It is not a coincidence that the BJP's tallest leaders Sushil Kumar Modi and Nand Kishore Yadav have won from urban seats repeatedly since 1990. Even the son of late Navin Kishore Prasad Singh, Nitin Navin, will be going for his third term in another urban seat - Patna West. However, the party is yet to prove its strength in rural Patna.
On the other hand, the JDU has a challenge in retaining its seats. Don-turned-politician Ananat Singh has deserted the party and is reported to have decided to contest as an Independent. The JDU MLA from Barh, Gyanendra Kumar Gyanu, has deserted the party to join the BJP.
However, the district administration swung into action on Wednesday as soon as the model code of conduct has been implemented in the state. The procedure to remove illegal posters, banners and hoardings has started across the district.
Patna goes for poll in the election's third phase on October 28. District magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, who is also the returning officer, said: "As model code of conduct has been implemented, we have made our preparation and work has been started as 50 officials and 300 workers are engaged in removing the illegal posters, banners and hoardings. Action would be taken against all those involved in violating the defacement act and 40 officials have been put in place to look after it."
Patna district has 14 Assembly constituencies with 43 lakh registered voters for 4,203 polling booths.
Agarwal added that action would be taken against all those found violating the model code of conduct. Till now, 5,000 people have been identified who could create law and order problem and at time of voting 10-15 officials would be deputed at the polling booths to keep a close eye on criminals apart from flying squad.
The district magistrate said for the first time six NRI voters have also been added to the voter list. Of six, three are in Masaurhi Assembly seat and three in Digha.
Accompanying by senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaaj to hold special meeting on law and order issue, Agarwal said: "From now onwards, videography will be carried out of all the political rallies for the purpose of recording hate speeches. As per the law, strict action would taken against all those found delivering speeches which can harm the communal harmony."
The district administration will also start special campaign to appeal the urban voters to come out from their house to vote. "Campus ambassador is being formed in which school students would be called to motivate the voter. Soon, we will announce the name of brand ambassadors to motivate the voters," said Agarwal.
