Bihar poll results: Shyam Rajak’s big win revives JD(U) fortunes in Phulwarisharif

PATNA: In a major political comeback, JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak won the Phulwarisharif (SC) assembly seat, defeating sitting MLA Gopal Ravidas of the CPI (ML) Liberation by a margin of 32,657 votes.

Rajak polled 1,26,470 while Das secured 93,813 votes.

According to the Election Commission data, Phulwarisharif recorded 65.01% voter turnout out of a total of 3,85,806 registered electorate, including 2,04,248 males and 1,81,544 females.




This victory marks another milestone in Rajak’s long political journey, bringing him back to the legislative assembly after a gap of one term. Rajak, a seasoned dalit leader known for his strong grassroots connection, had previously represented the Phulwarisharif seat multiple times, first in 1995 on a Janata Dal ticket followed by wins in 2000 and 2005 as an RJD candidate, and again in 2010 and 2015 as a JD(U) nominee.

In the 2015 election, Rajak had secured 94,094 votes, capturing 49.95% of the total vote share, and defeated Rajeshwar Manjhi of HAM(S). However, in the 2020 assembly polls, CPI(ML)’s Gopal Ravidas snatched the seat away from JD(U), polling 91,124 votes (43.57%) and defeating JD(U)’s Arun Manjhi.

Rajak’s win is being seen as a resurgence for the JD(U) in the region, which had lost ground in the last election. His victory margin this time is said to be substantial, reflecting renewed support for Nitish Kumar’s party among dalit and backward communities in the constituency.

Party workers celebrated Rajak’s win with drumbeats and distribution of sweets at the JD(U) office in Patna and Phulwarisharif. “People have reposed their faith in development and inclusivity. This is not just my victory, but it is the success of every voter who believes in harmony and progress,” Rajak told reporters after the results were announced.

The Phulwarisharif assembly seat has a rich and varied political history. Before Rajak’s dominance, it was represented by Sanjeev Tony of the Congress in 1980, 1985 and 1990 and later by Ramprit Paswan of the Janata Party in 1997. Political observers said Rajak’s victory could strengthen JD(U)’s position in the Patna region while the result signals a setback for the CPI(ML) which had made inroads in several reserved constituencies in 2020.