Explainer | From RLSP To JAP, Small Players To Watch Out For In Bihar Elections 2020

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Bihar is set to go on polls starting from 28th October. Here's a look at smaller players who will be standing in the elections this time.

Bihar Elections 2020: Even as cases of coronavirus rises steadily in the country, Bihar gears up for elections. The state will go for elections in 3 phases 28th October, 3rd November, and 7th November. The result of the Bihar elections will be announced on 10th November. According to an ABP-CVoter Opinion poll, the current Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remains first choice for CM: As per the survey, 31% of the respondents in Bihar have said that they want Nitish Kumar to be the Chief Minister of the state. While the opposition is trying to form a grand coalition or 'Mahagathbandhan' for the 2020 elections. But there are several smaller players standing in elections this time. Jan Adhikar Party The party was formed in 2015 by Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav  Pappu Yadav who was expelled from the Rashtriya Janata Dal due to ‘anti RJD activities'.According to Yadav during an interview with ABP they unlike other parties they have been able to reach out to people during the lockdown and floods in the state. Pappu Yadav said Bihar is frustrated with the ruling party and the Opposition and was looking for an alternative political narrative offered by him. Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) The Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) party was formed in 2015 by Upendra Kushwaha. On Tuesday the party gave a major jolt to the opposition coalition or Grand Alliance in Bihar after Kushwaha announced the party will fight elections with Bahujan Samaj Party and Janwadi Party Socialist. There were speculations earlier that Kushwaha may join hands with Nitish Kumar-led NDA. Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) The Hindustani Awam Morcha was launched in 2015 by Jitan Ram Manjhi, after he left the Janata Dal (United) during the 2015 Bihar political crisis. The party has also decided to quit the grand alliance ahead of the assembly election and has joined the NDA. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen The party headed by Asaduddin Owaisi which has its base in Telangana will also be standing for the Bihar Assembly elections. According to a report by Times of India, on Tuesday, September 29 the party announced that it will be forming United Democratic Secular Alliance with Devendra Prasad Yadav (Samajwadi Janata Dal Democratic) for Bihar elections “The people of Bihar are tired of CM Nitish Kumar, they want a viable option which we'll hopefully be able to provide them,” said Owaisi in the report. WATCH NOW: Bihar Elections 2020: Congress demanding 70-80 seats