Husband-Wife Face-Off in Motihari Polls
RJD’s Deva Gupta and his wife, Mayor Preeti Kumari, file separate nominations, stirring buzz in East Champaran.
GG News Bureau
Motihari, 22nd Oct: A unique political twist has emerged in Bihar’s Motihari Assembly constituency, where husband and wife have filed nominations against each other. The contest has become a major talking point across East Champaran district.
According to reports, RJD has fielded Deva Gupta as its official candidate from Motihari, while his wife, Motihari Mayor Preeti Kumari, has submitted her nomination papers as an independent candidate from the same seat.
The RJD ticket from Motihari had several claimants, but the party eventually placed its trust in Deva Gupta, a local strongman with considerable influence in the region. Gupta, however, has a controversial image, with dozens of criminal cases reportedly registered against him.
Apprehension of Arrest During Nomination
Anticipating possible arrest during nomination on alleged political grounds, Deva Gupta arrived at the Motihari Collectorate with a convoy of several four-wheelers. After filing his nomination, he swiftly exited through a rear court lane on a motorcycle.
Police movement increased noticeably around Chhatauni, Nagar, and Mufassil police stations during his visit to the Collectorate. Later, a police team from Nagar police station raided his residence but did not find Gupta or his wife present. The police, however, arrested one Subodh Yadav from his house.
Motihari SP Swarn Prabhat confirmed Yadav’s arrest, stating that he faces two criminal cases and had been absconding for a long time.
Preeti Kumari Clarifies Her Nomination
When asked about contesting against her husband, Preeti Kumari clarified that her nomination was not in opposition to him. “We are aware that opponents can play any move. I have filed my nomination in support of my husband, not against him,” she said.
The Motihari Mayor added, “Since my election as Mayor, conspiracies have been hatched against me and my husband. But the public is watching everything. Our opponents will be answered by the people.”
Elections for 12 Assembly seats in East Champaran district are scheduled for November 11, and a total of 142 nominations have been filed across the district.
