In Bihar fate of MPs to be decided as ticket race begins in BJP

New Delhi: All eyes are on BJP's choices for Patna Sahib, Araria, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sasaram andSheohar, now that the party has completed seat-sharing with partners. There is also a race for Gopalganj (SC), Karakat, Banka and Bhagalpur seats in the JDU camp too.

The names of Rajya Sabha member RK Sinha and law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad are doing the rounds for Patna Sahib.

In Darbhanga, where RSS has considerable support base, former chief minister Jagannath Mishra's son Nitish Mishra and BJP local leader Gopal Thakur are in vying for the party ticket. "The grand alliance is likely to field Mukesh Shahni of Viakshsheel Insan Party. So, BJP does not want to leave anything to chance before taking a decision," a source said. Darbhanga has a good number of Nishad voters considered loyal supporters of Sahni. Kirti Azad is the current MP.

Madhubani is another politically significant seat associated with BJP veteran Hukmdeo Narayan Yadav. "While BJP leader Ashok Yadav is eyeing the seat, the party may field a family member of Yadav," a BJP insider said. Pradeep Kumar Singh was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009 on a BJP ticket. Araria has a good population of minority voters. Although there are several contenders, the BJP may repeat Chhedi Paswan and Rama Devi in Sasaram and Sheohar, respectively. JDU's selection for Banka will be interesting. Last time, BJP's Putul Singh had lost the seat to RJD's Jaiprakash Narayan. "JDU may go for Putul Singh, widow of former Banka MP Digivijay Singh," a JDU insider said.