Defiant in his dedication, Pappu Yadav proclaimed he'd leave the world behind but never abandon Purnia. Even after the RJD nominated Bima Bharti from the grand alliance, Yadav earnestly appealed to Lalu Yadav to fight the election under the lantern symbol. Nonetheless, RJD's allegiance lay elsewhere, and now Yadav too has jumped into the ring for the Purnia seat.
On the final day to file nominations, Yadav made his way to the Purnia collectorate, declaring his bid amidst Congress slogans and claiming the blessings of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. Yet, his solo ride as an independent has now turned Purnia's contest into a riveting triangle.
No official word has come from Congress regarding Yadav's nomination. Insiders speculate, despite his claims of joining Congress and merging his party in the presence of Pawan Kheda, the formalities remain unfulfilled.
This technicality means Yadav isn't officially a Congress member, leaving the party unable to act against his independent nomination. A former close associate of Lalu, Yadav understands every political gambit of the RJD chief.
Before his overtures to Congress, Yadav visited Rabri Devi's residence to meet Lalu, who suggested a merger with the RJD and a candidacy from the Madhepura seat. Yadav declined but presumably sensed that RJD wouldn't easily cede the Purnia seat to him.
Observers hint this might be why Yadav announced joining Congress but delayed formal inclusion, waiting for a clearer picture of seat-sharing and the state of play in Purnia. Both Yadav and Congress seemed to prefer keeping their options open for the future.
Just days into Yadav's Congress alliance, Lalu facilitated JD(U) legislator Bima Bharti into the RJD and swiftly handed her a ticket from Purnia. Bharti had filed her nomination from Purnia the day before as the grand alliance candidate on an RJD ticket.
