Lok Sabha Elections 2019: To counter Kanhaiya, RJD too brings in student leaders from JNU, AMU, Jamia

In a bid to counter students and student leaders from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) camping in Begusarai to campaign for CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar, RJD candidate Tanveer Hassan has also roped in student leaders to campaign for him, while the BJP says it does not feel the need.

Tanveer has brought in student leaders from JNU, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia Millia Islamia to canvass for him.

Amrit Raj, a close aide of Kanhaiya, who is a student of Centre of Media Studies at JNU, said a team of about 40 JNUites have been camping in Begusarai to campaign for the CPI candidate. “We have adopted the JNU students’ union style of electioneering and formed 10 teams each comprising four to five people, who visit different areas in seven assembly constituencies. We hold street corner meetings after 5 pm, distribute pamphlets and go for door-to-door contact,” he said.

“We also go for ‘back-up campaign’ where Kanhaiya has already held a roadshow,” he said.

Jayant Kumar Jigyasu, who had contested JNUSU president’s election from Chhatra RJD in 2018 and secured fourth position by getting 548 votes, is also camping in Begusarai and campaigning for Tanveer Hassan.

He said students from AMU and Jamia Millia Islamia were also moving into the constituency to garner support for the RJD candidate.

“My campaigning in Begusarai is not a strategic move to deploy a Jnuite against a Jnuite. I am here as the party has asked me to campaign here. I have even canvassed in Madhepura and Jamui,” he said.

Jigyasu did not deny that NSUI leaders from Delhi University were also campaigning in Begusarai for Tanveer. “Our fight is with BJP. I have come here with a mission to defeat Giriraj,” he said.

A senior BJP leader, who did not wish to be quoted but is involved in planning poll strategy of the party, said there was no need to deploy Jnuites or Delhi University students to counter Kanhaiya.

“The BJP has a very strong booth level management in Begusarai, which is being supervised by local party leaders. Moreover, Kanhaiya is hardly in the fight. He is being given undue importance,” he said.

State BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand said, “We have not ‘imported’ student leaders from outside Begusarai to campaign as our workers and party’s other outfits are working well in close coordination with Giriraj Singh.”