Katihar (Bihar), April 23 (IANS): After losing the Lok Sabha election the last three times, NCP leader Tarique Anwar is in the fray in Katihar in Bihar hoping to score a win.

Anwar faces a tough challenge from BJP's outgoing MP Nikhil Choudhary, who is seeking re-election, banking on what he says is a "wave" in favour of the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

Unlike earlier times, Anwar has the support of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and the Congress. He is also heavily banking on the overwhelming support of Muslims who constitute 44 percent of the total electorate.

But the BJP is hopeful of a division in Muslim votes when the constituency votes Thursday.

"There are six Muslim candidates in the fray out of total 20. This is bound to split the Muslim votes," said Raju Singh, a party leader here.

Choudhary, who has won from here thrice since 1999, feels the Hindu votes will be polarized.

Anwar had represented Katihar four times in parliament when he was in the Congress. But he has never won an election after he joined the Nationalist Congress Party.

This is the first time he is contesting the election in alliance with the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

But the ruling Janata Dal-United is also in the fray. Its candidate, Ram Prakash Mahto, is seeking votes in the name of all the development work done in the area.