Son of Former Union Minister Withdraws Independent Candidacy After Father's Intervention in Bihar Elections

"It was instruction from the BJP's top leadership," Arijit Choubey explained to the media.

Patna:

Frustrated at being denied a BJP ticket for Bihar's Bhagalpur constituency, Arijit Shashwat Choubey, the son of former Union Minister Ashwini Choubey, was prepared to file his nomination as an Independent candidate. However, an unexpected phone call dramatically altered his plans.

The call arrived just as Choubey reached the district collectorate, where he was adorned with garlands and surrounded by enthusiastic supporters. When his phone rang, he answered it in full view of waiting reporters.

After a brief conversation consisting of brief responses, Choubey abruptly turned around and left without submitting his nomination papers.

Later, Choubey revealed the reason behind his sudden change of heart.

He explained that his father, Ashwini Choubey, had called him with explicit directives: "You are in the BJP and will remain in the BJP." Respecting his father's wishes, the 43-year-old decided to withdraw from the electoral race. Choubey mentioned that he had been under continuous pressure from BJP's senior leadership since announcing his intention to run as an Independent.

"Today, both my father and mother spoke to me. It was instruction from the BJP's top leadership," he informed reporters. "How can I disobey them? I cannot rebel against my party and country or turn to oppose them," he further stated.

The BJP experienced internal discord on Thursday after the party reaffirmed Rohit Pandey as their candidate. Pandey had previously lost to Congress's Ajeet Sharma in the 2020 election by approximately one thousand votes.

Arijit Choubey had previously declared his intention to contest independently from the constituency that his father had represented from 1995 to 2010. For the past three terms, Congress's Ajeet Sharma has held this southeastern Bihar constituency in the state assembly.