Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Jun 18: Former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union, Kanhaiya Kumar is likely to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as CPI’s candidate from Bihar’s Begusarai.

According to senior Congress leader, the Grand Alliance in Bihar comprising the Congress, RJD, NCP, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM, CPI, CPM, CPI-ML and Sharad Yadav’s newly-floated Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) is all set to tackle their common rival, the BJP.

"Hence, the Begusarai seat will be left for the CPI which will most likely field ex-JNU leader Kanhaiya Kumar," he said.

"In Bihar the process of identifying the seats and candidates has already begun. Rahul Gandhi is in regular talks with leaders like Tejashwi, Tariq Anwar and Sharad Yadav, who are working to strengthen the Grand Alliance in Bihar," he added.

Kanhaiya, shot to fame after he was slapped with sedition charges. He has also written a book: ‘From Bihar to Tihar’.

Earlier, CPI national council secretary KR Naraina during his Patna visit had hinted about Kanhaiya contesting from his hometown Begusarai.

The Mahagatbandhan (Grand Alliance) has already decided on fielding two BJP MPs - Shatrughan Sinha and Kirti Azad - from Patna Sahib and Darbhanga constituency. Decision on Sharad Yadav’s candidature will be taken once his legal woes are sorted. Veteran MP and former Union Minister Tariq Anwar from Katihar is likely to be fielded as the NCP candidate.