BETTIAH/NAUTAN, Nov. 7 -- Rohit Sikaria, an Independent candidate, is locked in a battle against BJP nominee Renu Devi for the Bettiah seat in West Champaran district. Sikaria is the husband of Bettiah mayor Garima Sikaria, while Renu Devi is a former deputy chief minister and minister of animal and fisheries resources in the Nitish Kumar government. The third contender in this triangular contest is Congress candidate Wasi Ahmed. "I see no difference in the public response that we witnessed during the mayor's election. Like then, there is an organic support for me as our promises for development work is in the public domain," said Sikaria whose wife Garima had bagged 73,748 votes of total 1,04,807 polled in mayor elections in 2022. Garima had beaten Surbhi Ghai, wife of Renu Devi's nephew, to the mayor's post, as the latter could secure a meagre 10,123 votes. However, Renu Devi says, "The main matter is that there isn't any challenge from any quarter." Meanwhile, two former Bihar ministers are also in the fray in the district, which is counted as an NDA stronghold. Former tourism minister Narayan Prasad is in a fight against Congress nominee, coaching institute director Amit Giri for the Nautan seat. Jan Suraaj's Santosh Choudhary is the third contestant from this constituency. On the other hand, former art & culture minister Vinay Bihari is locked in a contest with VIP's Rankaushal Pratap Singh - one of the richest candidates and director of Patna-based realty firm Shree Vasi Homes for Lauriya assembly seat. "People will give me votes in form of wage for development works undertaken," Bihari said. The road cuts a narrow swathe through Pipra on the outskirts of Bettiah from NH -27 towards Majhauliya in West Champaran. Abandoned brick kilns, barren land, followed by lush green fields and vegetations spill onto the path as morning sunrays filter in through towering trees. A short distance from Pipra chowk lies Ranipakari, otherwise a nondescript village. Hindustan Times spoke to the villagers and came across mixed response. "There is nothing wrong with Renu Devi. She has been simple all through her political career. She is visible in her consistency and never lost touch with grassroots even though served as deputy CM. She had been the same in all capacities - be it minister or an MLA," said Hiraman Mukhiya. "But the image of Rohit Sikaria is also impeccable and that of a workaholic," said another villager, keeping his cards close to his chest. However, strategy managers in the NDA camp are burning the midnight oil, hoping that a division of Muslim votes in favour of Congress candidate Wasi Ahmad will help them romp home comfortably. "But it could go either way," say political observers. About 12 km drive on a narrow road from Imali Chowk in Bettiah, headquarters of West Champaran district, takes one to Nautan Khaira Tola in Nautan constituency - a pocket borough of NDA, with the seat being won by JD(U) in 2005 (February), 2005 (October), 2010 and BJP's Narayan Prasad in 2015 and 2020 elections. However, indignation against the MLA is noticeable here. "How can you expect development when MLA is not visible?" asked Rajesh Prasad, a local. "There are four ways to reach our village but none of them has been metalled and as a result it becomes unmotorable during rainy season. The poor condition of roads is the biggest challenge of our area. What could otherwise be a 20-minute drive from Bettiah, is taking over 1.5 hours to reach Nautan. In sharp contrast to the roads constructed by other representatives, the ones got built by our MLA has collapsed in few years only," said Sanjay Prakash Kushwaha, expressing grave displeasure over development works in past few years, indicating a tough contest for the sitting MLA. Amit Giri and Santosh Choudhary appear to be in an advantageous position, benefiting from the anti-incumbency against the sitting MLA. "Silent service is often louder than words," said Giri, expressing regret that he had run short of time to complete his door-to-door campaign. The first phase of voting concluded on November 6, with the last phase scheduled for November 11. The result of the polls would be out on November 14....