AIMIM’s Babar Khan New Factor in Jamshedpur West, Banna Gupta May Face Tough Challenge

AIMIM fields Babur Khan in Jamshedpur West, creating hurdles for Banna Gupta.

Key Points:

– AIMIM has nominated Babur Khan in Jamshedpur West for the state elections.

– Banna Gupta could face trouble as Muslim votes may split.

– Saryu Roy, a key contender, is also running on a JD(U) ticket.

JAMSHEDPUR – Health Minister Banna Gupta may face significant challenges in the upcoming Jharkhand elections as Saryu Roy and AIMIM’s Babur Khan enter the race for the Jamshedpur West seat.

Banna Gupta, currently serving as Health Minister in Hemant Soren’s cabinet, is seeking re-election from Jamshedpur West, a seat he previously lost in 2014 to Saryu Roy.

However, this time, competition is intense with the entry of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate Babur Khan, who may sway a considerable portion of the Muslim electorate, particularly in Mango, a locality known for its significant Muslim population.

Babar Khan had left his previous party JMM on the premise that Muslims interests were being ignored in the party. He now wants to represent Muslim community effectively. He has a good following within his community and may win the support of a large section from his community.

Babur Khan’s Nomination

Babur Khan, selected as AIMIM’s candidate, received a warm welcome in Jamshedpur upon his arrival. A large rally of supporters gathered in the Azadnagar police station area to greet him. Party members, including Majid Sahab, Mohammad Sakir, and Salik Javed, were present to show their support.

Khan is set to file his nomination on October 24 at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, leading a motorcycle rally from Old Purulia Road to mark the occasion.

Muslim Vote May Split

The Jamshedpur West constituency, which includes the Muslim-majority Mango area, may see its vote divided due to AIMIM’s entry. This could significantly impact the prospects of Congress candidate Banna Gupta, who relies heavily on the Muslim vote. A local observer remarked, "If Babur Khan captures a significant portion of the Muslim vote, Gupta’s path to victory could be severely hampered."

Roy Returns to Contest

Saryu Roy, a seasoned politician, previously defeated Gupta in 2014 when he contested from Jamshedpur West. After defeating former Chief Minister Raghubar Das in the 2019 elections from Jamshedpur East, Roy is once again vying for the Jamshedpur West seat, this time representing the Janata Dal (United).

The entry of multiple contenders in this key constituency has added intrigue to the 2024 election race, making it one of the most-watched battles in Jharkhand.