The Saran Lok Sabha seat in Bihar has emerged as the most high-profile contest in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. This time, the electoral battlefield is set between two prominent candidates: BJPs Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Rohini Acharya, the daughter of RJD chief Lalu Yadav.Nail-biting contestThe contest for the Saran seat has been nothing short of intense. From the initial stages of vote counting, both Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Rohini Acharya were neck and neck, frequently exchanging leads. However, by 6:10 PM, Rudy managed to secure a lead of over 17,404 votes. Currently, Rajiv Pratap Rudy is leading with 340,909 votes, while Rohini Acharya trails with 323,505 votes. Although the margin appears significant, with 17,404 votes separating the two, the final stages of vote counting are still underway, making the final outcome uncertain.Role of NOTAAn interesting twist in this high-stakes contest is the notable number of votes cast for NOTA (None Of The Above). So far, 8,459 votes have been registered under NOTA, reflecting the voters dissatisfaction with the available candidates. This could play a crucial role in the final outcome, potentially influencing the lead margins.Misa Bharti leads in Pataliputra Lok Sabha seatWhile Rohini Acharya faces a tough battle in Saran, her sister Misa Bharti, also from the RJD, is performing well in Pataliputra. Misa Bharti has gained over 420,860 votes, leading BJPs Ram Kripal Yadav, who has 367,020 votes. Historical context of SaranThe Saran Lok Sabha seat holds historical significance for the Yadav family and the RJD. Lalu Yadav began his parliamentary career here, being elected as an MP in the 1977 elections. The seat, known as Chhapra before the delimitation in 2008, has been a political battleground for decades. Lalu Yadavs first defeat in Saran came at the hands of Rajiv Pratap Rudy in 1996, a defeat Rudy repeated in 1999. This historical context adds an extra layer of importance to the current contest between Rudy and Acharya.
