NEW DELHI: Katihar is set for a multi-cornered contest as BJP’s Tarkishor Prasad, VIP’s Saurav Agarwal and independent candidate Ghazi Sharique await the counting of votes on Wednesday. With polling complete and the fate of all candidates sealed in the EVMs, Katihar remains one of the key constituencies in east Bihar, known for its unpredictable electoral swings and history of close contests between the BJP and the RJD.
| Candidate | Party | votes |
| Tarkishor Prasad | BJP | |
| Saurav Agarwal | VIP | |
| Ghazi Sharique | JanSuraaj |
A poll of polls released on Tuesday indicated that the NDA may be headed for a return to power with around 148 seats. The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan is projected to secure around 88 seats, while other parties may win nearly 7 seats. People’s Pulse estimated 133–159 seats for the NDA, 75–101 for the Mahagathbandhan, 0–5 for Jan Suraaj and 2–8 for others. The Dainik Bhaskar poll projected 145–160 seats for the NDA and 73–91 for the Mahagathbandhan, suggesting Jan Suraaj may not win any seat, while others could pick up 5–10. JVC-Polls forecast 135–150 seats for the NDA, 88–103 for the Mahagathbandhan and 3–6 for others. Matrize estimated 147–167 seats for the NDA, 70–90 for the opposition alliance and 2–10 for others. People’s Insight predicted 133–148 seats for the NDA, 87–102 for the Mahagathbandhan and 3–6 for others. The Election Commission reported strong voter turnout across the second phase, with over 68 per cent participation in 122 constituencies. Katihar has a long history of alternating political outcomes, with the BJP and RJD both holding the seat at different times. In the 2020 assembly election, the constituency had 2,73,824 electors and 1,70,554 valid votes. BJP’s Tarkishore Prasad won with 82,669 votes. RJD’s Dr Ram Prakash Mahto stood second with 72,150 votes, losing by 10,519. In 2015, Katihar had 2,42,829 electors and 1,53,667 valid votes. Tarkishore Prasad retained the seat with 66,048 votes. JD(U)’s Bijay Singh finished second with 51,154 votes, trailing by 14,894. In 2010, the constituency had 2,08,316 electors and 1,25,284 valid votes. Tarkishore Prasad won with 58,718 votes. Dr Ram Prakash Mahto of the RJD came second with 38,111 votes, losing by 20,607. In the October 2005 polls, the seat saw one of its closest contests. The BJP’s Tar Kishore Prasad won with 47,777 votes, while Dr Ram Prakash Mahto of the RJD finished a close second with 47,661 votes, losing by just 116. In February 2005, Katihar had 1,23,722 valid votes. RJD’s Ram Prakash Mahto won with 33,064 votes. BJP’s Raj Banshi finished second with 26,333 votes, trailing by 6,731. In 2000, the RJD’s Ram Prakash Mahto again won the seat with 69,030 votes, defeating BJP’s Jagbandhu Adhikari, who secured 40,659 votes. In 1995, Katihar had 1,93,183 electors and 1,21,353 valid votes. BJP’s Jagbandhu Adhikari won with 45,473 votes. Janata Dal’s Ram Prakash Mahto stood second with 35,687 votes, losing by 9,786. Go to Source
