Sitamarhi: Sunil Kumar Pintu (BJP) vs Sunil Kumar (RJD)

Sunil Kumar Pintu, a four-time MLA and former MP, is contesting again from Sitamarhi. Pintu, who also heads the Shri Bhagwati Sita Tirtha Kshetra Samiti, wields significant cultural and political influence

His campaign was hit by controversy after an alleged private video resurfaced online — a clip he dismissed as an “old opposition trick.” Despite this, he has the BJP’s full backing, with Amit Shah campaigning for him. He faces RJD’s Sunil Kumar.

Chainpur: Mohammad Zama Khan (JD(U)) vs Brij Kishor Bind (RJD) vs Balgovind Bind (VIP)

In Chainpur, Minority Affairs Minister Mohammad Zama Khan faces opposition from both allies and rivals. Khan, who won in 2020 as a BSP candidate before joining JD(U), has faced criticism from sections of the Muslim community over the Waqf Bill controversy.

The RJD has fielded Brij Kishor Bind, while the VIP has nominated Balgovind Bind, resulting in a three-cornered contest.

Parihar: Gayatri Devi (BJP) vs Ritu Jaiswal (Independent) vs Smita Purbe (RJD)

In Sitamarhi’s Parihar, three women are in the fray. The seat, near the Ma Janki temple at Punaruadham, gained national attention after Amit Shah announced its ₹800 crore renovation plan.

Sitting MLA Gayatri Devi (BJP) is seeking a third consecutive win. In 2020, she narrowly defeated Ritu Jaiswal (RJD) by about 2,000 votes.

Denied a ticket this time, Ritu is contesting as an independent, while the RJD has fielded Smita Purbe, daughter-in-law of veteran leader Ram Chandra Purbe.

The Seemanchal Equation

The politically sensitive Seemanchal region — comprising Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, and Katihar — will be a crucial battleground in this phase.

Home to a large portion of Bihar’s 17% Muslim population, Seemanchal has seen intense campaigning from all major parties, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Rahul Gandhi.

In 2020, the BJP won eight of the region’s seats, JD(U) four, Congress five, CPIML and RJD one each, while AIMIM won five before four of its MLAs joined the RJD.

Friendly Fire

Several constituencies will witness intra-alliance clashes within the Grand Alliance.

In Narkatiaganj, Congress’s Shashwat Kedar Pandey faces RJD’s Deepak Yadav, while the NDA has fielded BJP’s Sanjay Pandey.

In Kahalgaon, Congress’s Praveen Singh Kushwaha takes on RJD’s Rajnish Bharti, with JD(U)’s Shubh Anand Mukesh representing the NDA.

In Pipra, CPI(ML)’s Anil Kumar faces CPI(M)’s Rajmangal Prasad, while BJP’s Shyambabu Prasad Yadav contests for the NDA.