Begusarai, April 24: The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Wednesday claimed that its candidate from Bihar's Begusarai, Kanhaiya Kumar, is getting overwhelming support from all segments of the parliamentary constituency and urged the Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Mahagathbandhan to retire its nominee from the seat to make it a direct contest with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Swara Bhasker Gives Her First Political Speech As She Campaigns Hard for CPI Candidate Kanhaiya Kumar in Begusarai – Watch Video.

Addressing a press conference, CPI general secretary Sudhakar Reddy appealed RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to retire party's candidate Tanveer Hassan as the last date of withdrawal of nominations had elapsed. Begusarai will go into polls on April 29, in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections. Kanhaiya Kumar Supporters, Villagers Clash in Bihar.

“I would urge RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to consider our appeal that Tanveer Hassan retires from the contest. He can do this much to help Kanhaiya get a decisive victory since the last date of withdrawal of nominations has elapsed,” Reddy said.

Many tallest Left leaders including Sitaram Yechury, Sudhakar Reddy and D Raja along with Bollywood celebrities Javed Akhtar, Prakash Raj, and Swara Bhaskar had campaigned for Kanhaiya.

Speculations were rife that RJD supremo and former railway minister Lalu Prasad had initially thought of backing the former JNU students' union president. But, later he retracted its stance of his younger son who said Kanahiya belonged to Bhumihar caste which could anger RJD's vote base, which is mainly Yadavs and Muslims.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2019 09:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).