With Tej Pratap no longer contesting from what had become a “safe seat” for the RJD, the JD(U) is aiming to reclaim the constituency by fielding its familiar face, Ray. His opponent, Mala Pushpam, represents the RJD’s bid to retain the seat despite the absence of the high-profile Yadav scion. The JD(U)-RJD duel this time is more evenly matched on paper, making the outcome far less predictable than in the previous cycle.