The history of Bettiah assembly seat is seen as an important chapter in the politics of Bihar. This seat has not only given strong public representatives to the state, but this seat has also elected the leader who has traveled to the post of Deputy Chief Minister. As the assembly elections to be held at the end of 2025 are approaching, all the political parties are preparing to enter the fray once again. In this election environment, let us know the detailed electoral history of Bettiah seat, which not only reflects the political thinking of this region, but also highlights the changing equations of Bihar politics.
Geographical and political landscape of Bettiah seat
Bettiah assembly constituency is located in West Champaran district of Bihar. This district is divided into three sub-divisions and 18 blocks. West Champaran district comprises a total of nine assembly constituencies: Valmiki Nagar, Ramnagar (SC), Narkatiaganj, Bagaha, Lauriya, Nautan, Chanpatia, Bettiah and Sikta.
Bettiah is not only a historical town but also the administrative headquarters of West Champaran district. It was from here that the Champaran Satyagraha started during the freedom struggle, which established Mahatma Gandhi as a national leader.
1952 to 1962: Congress dominance
When the first general election was held in India in 1951-52, the Bettiah assembly seat also voted for the first time. Prajapati Mishra of the Congress won this election by defeating Prafullo Kumar Sanyal of the All India Jana Sangh by 14,549 votes.
By-elections were also held in the same year, in which Ketaki Devi of the Congress emerged victorious. In the 1957 elections, the seat was reserved for the Scheduled Castes and this time two MLAs were elected from here – both from Congress: Jai Narayan Prasad and Jagannath PD. Independent.
In 1962, the seat was made general again and the system of electing two MLAs was abolished. This time Jai Narayan Prasad of Congress defeated Madan Lal Singhania of Jan Sangh by 7,069 votes.
1967: Entry of independent candidate
Congress's four-time winning streak came to an end in 1967. This time independent candidate HP Shahi defeated SP Verma of Congress by 7,297 votes. But Congress made a comeback in 1969. Gauri Shankar Pandey defeated Gopal Rai of Bharatiya Jan Sangh by 7,781 votes.
1972: Congress returns again
In 1972, Congress gave ticket to Krishna Mohan Pandey. He also raised the flag of Congress by defeating Gopa Ji Rai of Jan Sangh by 1,512 votes.
1977 to 1985: Gauri Shankar Pandey's dominance
There was a Janata wave after the Emergency in the 1977 elections, but despite this, Gauri Shankar Pandey of Congress retained the seat by defeating Madan Lal Singhania of Janata Party by 3,816 votes.
In 1980, he contested the election from Congress (Indira) and defeated independent candidate Shiv Shankar Kanodia by 8,956 votes. In 1985, he strengthened his hold by defeating Ahmed Ali of CPI by 16,475 votes.
1990: BJP's first victory
In 1990, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won this seat for the first time. BJP's Madan Prasad Jaiswal defeated independent Nageshwar Shahi by 6,739 votes.
1995: Return of Janata Dal
In the 1995 elections, Janata Dal's Birbal Yadav snatched the seat by defeating BJP's Madan Prasad Jaiswal by just 505 votes.
2000 to 2020: Renu Devi's era
In the year 2000, BJP made Renu Devi its candidate from Bettiah for the first time. After this, she won in 2000, February 2005, October 2005, 2010 and 2020. In 2015, she had to face defeat from Congress's Madan Mohan Tiwari.
First victory in 2000
In 2000, Renu Devi entered the assembly for the first time on a BJP ticket by defeating independent Md. Shamim Akhtar by 10,841 votes.
Won twice in 2005
In the February 2005 elections, Renu Devi again defeated Shamim Akhtar by 11,457 votes. In the re-election in October 2005, she also defeated Shamim Akhtar by 16,466 votes.
Big victory of 2010
In 2010, Renu Devi defeated independent Anil Kumar Jha by 28,789 votes. This election made her one of the trusted leaders of the BJP.
Defeat of 2015
In 2015, Renu Devi lost to Madan Mohan Tiwari of Congress by 2,320 votes. This was her only defeat, but it did not have any lasting effect on her political career.
Terrific comeback of 2020
In 2020, Renu Devi once again made a comeback and defeated Madan Mohan Tiwari of Congress by 18,079 votes. After this victory, she was appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the Bihar government. Along with this, she also took charge of many ministries.
In 2022, when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar left the BJP and turned towards the Grand Alliance, Renu Devi had to step down from the post of Deputy Chief Minister. In 2024, Nitish Kumar again formed an alliance with the BJP, but Renu Devi was not given this post again.
Table of election results of Bettiah assembly seat
| Year | Winner | Party | Main Opponent | Difference |
| 1952 | Prajapati Mishra | Congress | Prafullo Sanyal (Jana Sangh) | 14,549 |
| 1967 | HP Shahi | Independent | SP Verma (Congress) | 7,297 |
| 1977 | Gauri Shankar Pandey | Congress | Madan Lal Singhania (Janata Party) | 3,816 |
| 1990 | Madan Prasad Jaiswal | BJP | Nageshwar Shahi (Independent) | 6,739 |
| 2000 | Renu Devi | BJP | Shamim Akhtar (Independent) | 10,841 |
| 2015 | Madan Mohan Tiwari | Congress | Renu Devi (BJP) | 2,320 |
| 2020 | Renu Devi | BJP | Madan Mohan Tiwari (Congress) | 18,079 |
Conclusion: What will be the next chapter on Bettiah seat?
The history of Bettiah assembly seat shows us how the same area has witnessed various political changes over time. This journey which started with Congress has now turned into the area of influence of BJP. Especially the tenure of Renu Devi has made this seat a strong fort for BJP.
In the upcoming 2025 assembly elections, a close contest can be seen on this seat again. It will be interesting to see whether BJP will maintain its hold or the opposition will win by presenting a new face.