Bihar Assembly Elections: Educational Profiles of Candidates Take Center Stage

Representational imagePatna:As the assembly elections approach in the state, the educational profiles of candidates have added a new dimension to the political scene. Both the NDA and the INDIA bloc have this time prioritised candidates with higher educational qualifications.Nomination papers and affidavits filed by contestants reveal that around 62% of candidates hold a graduation or higher degree. Among them, over 24 have advanced academic qualifications such as engineering and PhD degrees.Data from the election office show that 17 candidates possess LLB degrees, 12 hold engineering degrees, 12 are PhD holders, five are MBBS graduates, three have MBAs and two possess MPhil degrees.About 8% of candidates from both alliances, however, have non-matric education. Among these, seven are literate, while others have completed only up to the seventh, eighth or ninth grade. In all, 24 candidates have Matriculation, 47 Intermediate, 66 graduate, and 28 postgraduate qualifications.Among MBBS degree holders, the BJP has fielded Dr Sunil Kumar from Biharsharif and Dr Siyaram Singh from Barh. The RJD has nominated Dr Karishma from Parsa, Dr Sanjeev Kumar from Parbatta and Mukesh Roushan from Mahua.Engineering graduates in the fray include BJP’s Vijay Kumar Sinha from Lakhisarai and Raju Kumar Singh from Sahebganj, and CPI’s Vishwanath Chaudhary from Rajgir. JD(U)’s list features Ruhel Ranjan from Islampur, Ajit Kumar from Kanti and Manjarik Mrinal from Warisnagar. The RJD has fielded Ravindra Kumar Singh from Mahnar and Alok Kumar Mehta from Ujiarpur. Congress’ Sanjeev Singh from Vaishali and Rashtriya Lok Morcha’s Prashant Kumar from Ujiarpur are also among the engineering degree holders.Candidates with DLitt degrees have drawn particular attention this time. They include BJP’s Samrat Choudhary from Tarapur, BJP’s Murari Mohan Jha from Kevati, and RJD’s Ramanuj Kumar from Sonepur. Among MPhil degree holders are CPI (ML)’s Dhananjay from Bhore and BJP’s Sujit Kumar from Gaura Bauram.The list of PhD holders is also extensive. BJP’s Dr Sanjeev Chaurasiya, RJD’s Dr Ramanand Yadav, Congress’ Dr Indradeep Chandravanshi, RJD’s Shatanand from Sahebpur Kamal, Congress’ Chandan Kumar from Khagaria, RJD’s Renu Kumari from Bihariganj, JD(U)’s Ramesh Rishideo from Singheshwarsthan, BJP’s Jivesh Kumar from Jale, BJP’s Ramchandra Prasad from Hayaghat, BJP’s Arun Kumar Singh from Baruraj, and JD(U)’s Vinay Chaudhary from Benipur are all PhD degree holders.RJD’s Amar Paswan from Bochaha, JD(U)’s Komal Singh from Gaighat and BJP’s Sanjay Saraogi from Darbhanga are among the MBA-qualified candidates.