Independent Jai Kumar Singh turns Dinara contest into three-way battle

Dinara (Rohtas): Dinara assembly constituency in Rohtas district has become one of the most closely watched contests in Rohtas district with former minister and two-time MLA Jai Kumar Singh turning rebel and contesting as an independent.Once a prominent face of the JD(U), Singh quit the party after being denied a ticket but has maintained a restrained and dignified tone throughout his campaign. He has avoided personal attacks on CM Nitish Kumar, saying he continues to “hold the chief minister in high regard and close to his heart.”Dinara is witnessing a three-cornered contest among RLM’s Alok Kumar Singh, RJD’s Shashi Shankar and independent candidate Jai Kumar Singh.

Interestingly, none of the three hail from Dinara, making it a rare election where all key contenders are seeking local acceptance as outsiders.In the 2020 assembly polls, RJD’s Vijay Kumar Mandal had defeated LJP’s Rajendra Prasad Singh by 8,228 votes while the then JD(U) nominee Jai Kumar Singh finished third. RSLP’s Rajesh Singh secured 18,368 votes. For the 2025 elections, the RJD has replaced sitting MLA Vijay Mandal with Shashi Shankar, a former associate of Upendra Kushwaha.

The JD(U) has ceded the seat to its NDA ally RLM while the BJP has brought Rajendra Prasad Singh, who famously described himself as the “Hanuman of Narendra Modi” during the 2020 campaign, back into its fold to strengthen the alliance’s nominee.Established in 1951, Dinara falls under the Buxar Lok Sabha constituency and has a largely rural electorate. The demography comprises about 45% OBCs, 25% Bhumihars, 20% Dalits, and around 7% Muslims.

Over the years, the seat has swung between the Congress (five wins), JD-U (four wins) and socialist outfits (three wins), reflecting its volatile political mood.Despite his defeat in 2020, Jai Kumar Singh has remained visible and active in the constituency. Known for his accessibility, he has attended countless local events — from weddings and birthdays to village meetings — helping him sustain a strong grassroots connect.

In contrast, RLM’s Alok Kumar Singh appeared on the scene barely a month before the poll announcement while RJD’s Shashi Shankar remains largely unknown among local voters.

Political observers believe Shankar is banking primarily on RJD’s loyal support base to offset his outsider status.The NDA has gone all out to secure victory for RLM’s Alok Singh and wrest the seat back from the RJD. Senior BJP leaders and several former LJP members have joined his campaign.

Alok Singh has also shared the dais with Rajendra Prasad Singh at multiple rallies, in a visible attempt to consolidate the NDA vote bank that split in 2020, a factor widely seen as contributing to Jai Kumar Singh’s earlier defeat.The RJD, however, appears less cohesive. Though Tejashwi addressed a massive rally in Dinara on the last day of campaigning – one of 16 he held across Bihar that day – the local organisation remains divided.

The absence of sitting MLA Vijay Mandal from campaign activities has fuelled speculation of discontent within party ranks.Like several constituencies in Rohtas district, Dinara continues to grapple with persistent civic concerns – from poor sanitation and inadequate healthcare to weak educational infrastructure. These everyday issues, combined with the personal appeal of candidates and caste arithmetic, are expected to shape the outcome in this crucial 2025 assembly contest.