Gopalganj Bihar Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voting date, results, candidates, main parties, and schedule

Gopalganj Bihar Lok Sabha election 2024 - a file photo of BJP leaders celebrating the win of Bihar's Gopalganj seat in the bye-elections (Photo - PTI)

Gopalganj Lok Sabha in Bihar is a seat reserved for a Schedule Caste candidate and comprises six Assembly seats—Baikunthpur, Barauli, Gopalganj, Kuchaikote, Bhore and Hathua.

In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Gopalganj is scheduled for polling in the sixth phase on May 25.

The contest here has taken an intriguing turn with the entry of Asaduddin Owaisi's All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party. Previously, the contest had centred around incumbent Janata Dal-United (JDU) Member of Parliament Alok Kumar Suman from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) candidate Premnath Chanchal Paswan from the Mahaghthbandhan between Rashtriya Janata Dal (RDJ), Congress, and the Left. However, the inclusion of AIMIM’s candidate, Dinanath Manjhi, has added a new dimension to the race.

This election marks the first time that VIP and AIMIM are contesting in Gopalganj parliamentary constituency.

Dr. Alok Kumar Suman is running for a second term. Additionally, Sujit Ram from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Jitendra Ram from the Bahujan Mukti Party are also in the race.

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While Mahaghthbandhan members have rallied behind Premnath Chanchal, NDA has highlighted the groundwork done by its MPs over the past decade and is advocating for fresh, youthful leadership.

This electoral battle holds significant prestige for both the RJD and JDU, with Gopalganj being the home district of Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav. Nitish Kumar's JDU is making a concerted effort to secure Muslim votes, particularly after the upset caused by the independent candidacy of Hina Shahab in Siwan and RJD's decision to field candidates against her.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Alok Kumar Suman emerged victorious with 30.89% of the total vote share, while RJD's Surendra Ram secured 15.31%. In 2014, BJP's Janak Ram won with 28.93% of the vote share.