Vansidhar Brajwasi registered a remarkable victory in the Tirhut MLC seat with more than 10915 votes.

Patna December 10, 2024: Vansidhar Brajwasi, an independent candidate, has emerged victorious in the Tirhut Graduate Constituency by-election, defeating his nearest rival, Dr. Vinayak Gautam of the Jan Suraj Party, by a margin of about 10915 votes.

Gopi Kishan of the RJD secured third place, while the JD(U) candidate, Abhishek Kumar Jha, finished fourth, despite the NDA’s high-profile campaign efforts.

Brajwasi bagged 27744 votes in this by-poll.

Vansidhar Brajwasi’s Victory and Statement:

After his win, Vanshidhar Brajwasi reflected on his unexpected political journey, attributing his success to the unity of teachers. “This victory is a testament to the struggle of teachers,” he said.

Vansidhar Brajwasi, a teacher himself, had been dismissed from his job by the Nitish Kumar government, a move that he claims fuelled the collective anger of educators and inspired them to rally behind his candidacy. He emphasized that his fight was not just political but a broader struggle for the rights of teachers, youth, and children in Bihar.

The by-election was necessitated after JDU’s Deveshchandra Thakur vacated the Tirhut Graduate seat upon being elected as an MP. The election, held on December 5, witnessed about 47.5% voter turnout across 197 polling booths in Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, and Sheohar Districts. 18 candidates contested the seat, but Brajwasi’s grassroots appeal, especially among teachers, proved decisive.

Despite significant campaigning by NDA leaders, their candidate Abhishek Kumar Jha finished fourth, marking a major setback for the ruling coalition. This defeat highlights growing discontent among certain voter groups, particularly educators, with the state government’s policies.

A Journey Born of Adversity:

Vansidhar Brajwasi’s rise to becoming a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) is marked by irony. He thanked the Nitish Kumar government for dismissing him, stating, “The action united teachers and transformed him into a symbol of their struggle. This victory underscores the importance of grassroots movements and collective action in shaping political outcomes.”

Career as a Teacher and Advocate for Educators’ Rights:

Vansidhar Brajwasi, a block teacher at Ttkramit Madhya Vidyalaya In Raksa Purvi, Madwan block, Muzaffarpur, also served as the president of the Niyojit Shikshak Sangh.

He was a vocal advocate for the demands of Bihar’s contract teachers, often leading the tenure of KK Pathak, the then Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, who declared teachers’ unions illegal and banned their agitations.

Under KK Pathak’s administration, disciplinary action was initiated against Brajwasi. On March 28, 2024, the District Program Officer (DPO) of Muzaffarpur directed the Madwan Block Planning Unit to act against him. Subsequently, Brajwasi was suspended, and departmental proceedings ensued. Though KK Pathak had left his post, the action against Brajwasi continued under the established directives.

The culmination of this process occurred on July 24, when the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Madwan convened the block planning unit and issued an immediate order to dismiss Brajwasi from his teaching position.

A Political Turnaround for Vansidhar Brajwasi:

Following his dismissal, the announcement of the Tirhut Graduate Constituency by-election presented an unexpected opportunity. The seat had fallen vacant after JDU’s Devesh Chandra Thakur was elected as a Member of Parliament MP in the Lok Sabha elections. Supported by teachers and others disillusioned with the government’s policies, Brajwasi entered the electoral contest.

Running as an independent candidate, he defeated major party-backed candidates, including JD(U)’s Abhishek Kumar Jha and RJD’s Gopi Kishan, to secure a decisive victory.

Vansidhar Brajwasi attributed his success to the collective anger and unity of Bihar’s teachers, whose grievances against government policies resonated with his campaign. His victory serves as a significant rebuke to the ruling establishment and highlights the power of grassroots movements, particularly when driven by issues of justice and equity for marginalized groups like contract teachers.

Also Read: Voting of Tirhut Graduate MLC by-poll was conducted peacefully, ECI registered 47.50% polling.

EOM.