The Bihar Assembly elections have sparked widespread discussions about the issues facing local communities. On the final day of the Prabhat Khabar Election Express campaign, the team reached the Muzaffarpur Nagar Assembly constituency to understand the pressing problems of the region. During the campaign, the team engaged in various conversations with the local population and gathered insights about their concerns. On Monday, October 6, 2025, the campaign team participated in a Chaupal event at LS College’s auditorium where representatives of various political parties were invited to interact with the people.
The Chaupal Session: Political Leaders Share Their Vision
The Chaupal session was an opportunity for both ruling and opposition leaders to engage with the public. They shared their vision for the future of the region and answered questions posed by the people. The session was aimed at discussing the issues related to the constituency’s development, with both sides presenting their plans. Most questions from the public focused on the work of the current MLA, Vijayendra Chaudhary. Locals questioned his performance over the past five years, demanding an explanation about the development initiatives he had undertaken.
One of the key questions asked was about the five significant contributions the current MLA had made during his tenure. Rajya Sabha MP and RJD leader Mo Kary Shoaib raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the funds allocated to Muzaffarpur by the Bihar government over the past 20 years. He emphasized that the residents of Muzaffarpur would see rapid improvements in the region once Tejashwi Yadav’s government took office. Shoaib also promised that under Tejashwi’s leadership, the annual fair at the famous Garibnath Temple would be recognized as a national event.
Issues Raised by Locals: Poor Infrastructure and Smart City Delays
A recurring issue raised by the residents was the incomplete construction of various roads in the city and the delays in Smart City development projects. Many questioned the rationale behind the slow progress of ongoing projects and the inefficiency in solving the city’s basic infrastructural problems. People voiced their concerns about the lack of streetlights, proper drainage systems, and the long delays in road development projects, which have caused immense inconvenience to daily commuters.
The Patna Airport Expansion and Concerns about Political Promises
During the discussion, Abdul Majid, a local resident, raised the issue of the proposed expansion of Patna Airport. He pointed out that the NDA government had been claiming that flights would operate from Patna to various locations, but the current runway was too short, only 1200 feet long instead of the required 2400 feet. He questioned whether this was just another political promise with no real substance. Ranjan Kumar, a BJP leader, responded by stating that a 20-seat aircraft could easily take off with a 1500-foot runway, and plans were underway to eventually expand Patna Airport, making it similar to the Patna Airport in terms of capacity.
The Question of Development under the BJP and Congress Rule
Many citizens also raised questions about the development under both the BJP and Congress-led administrations. Prior to Congress’s rule, Muzaffarpur was under BJP control. Over the past decade, people wanted to know how much real progress had been made. Both parties were asked to provide concrete answers regarding their promises and the state of the city’s infrastructure during their rule. Former and current MLAs were called upon to provide a detailed account of the five major works they had carried out for the people of Muzaffarpur.
Residents’ Voices on the City’s Decline
One citizen brought attention to the dire state of the city, referring to it as “hellish.” Despite the substantial funds allocated for the Smart City initiative, the city’s basic problems remained unresolved. They also pointed out how the city floods even after light rainfall, and no significant efforts had been made to address this issue. The public’s grievances centered on the lack of drainage and sewerage systems, poor quality roads, and constant waterlogging. Their frustrations were compounded by the failure to address these problems during the five-year tenure of the current MLA.
The Election Express and Public Interaction
The Prabhat Khabar Election Express continued its outreach by visiting key intersections in the Nagar Assembly constituency to understand the common issues faced by residents. At Pakkisarai Chowk, local businessman Raju Nair shared his frustration with the lack of action on waterlogging and the mismanagement of the Smart City project. He claimed that the local municipal corporation had failed to resolve basic drainage problems, leaving the residents suffering. He also mentioned the tragic incident in Rambagh, where two children drowned in a canal due to waterlogging. Nair emphasized that the real responsibility lay with the government for these continued issues.
Shakil Ahmed, another local, criticized the current MLA for failing to address the fundamental problems like waterlogging and traffic congestion. He stated that all politicians only came to the area during elections to make promises but failed to deliver on those promises. People were tired of hearing the same false assurances from politicians who did not seem to care about the real issues.
Water Tanki Chowk: Concerns About Development and Basic Amenities
At Water Tanki Chowk, the Election Express team heard from a diverse group of residents who were also struggling with waterlogging and poor infrastructure. Dinesh Ram, a local cobbler, shared how his daily work was affected by the waterlogged streets in his area. He explained that during the rainy season, roads became completely submerged, making it difficult for people to even navigate. Similarly, Awadhesh Kumar, a resident of Paswan Tola, expressed his disappointment about the lack of drainage systems in his locality, which led to continuous waterlogging and poor living conditions.
One of the most common complaints at this location was the dilapidated condition of the schools. Students and parents spoke about how the infrastructure of schools had not been improved in years. Many schools had broken down buildings and inadequate facilities, but there had been no efforts made by the government to renovate or rebuild them. Residents voiced their frustration that their concerns were being ignored, and they were left waiting for basic improvements that never came to fruition.
Campaign Promises from Local Leaders
During the Election Express event, political leaders from various parties shared their vision for the city’s future. Ranjan Kumar, a BJP leader, promised that if elected, the city would see major developments, including the construction of better roads, the creation of employment opportunities, and the development of parks and stadiums. He also promised to address the traffic jams and waterlogging issues.
Sanjay Kejriwal, a Jan Suraj leader, spoke about his plans to ensure better education, employment, and infrastructure. He emphasized that the people of Muzaffarpur had been let down by their previous leaders, and it was time for a change. He also promised to work on fixing the roads, drainage systems, and other basic amenities.
Other leaders like Sawan Pandey and Rajeev Kumar also highlighted issues like the lack of proper drainage and water supply. They emphasized the need for better representation that would address the real concerns of the people.
Public Sentiment and Calls for Change
The citizens expressed their desire for a representative who would genuinely work to solve the city’s issues, rather than just making promises for votes. They stressed that the city had not seen any real development in the past five years, and it was time for a new leader to step in and make a difference. Many locals voiced their frustration about the lack of attention to basic issues such as waterlogging, traffic congestion, and poor infrastructure, urging that the time for change had come.
