The battle of Bermo will decide the trade union politics of the coal belt area of Bokaro and other adjoining areas. The  Bermo bye-election will be the first poll in the past four decades that will be held in absence of coal belt veteran late Rajendra Prasad Singh.

Singh, a political veteran and towering trade union leader, who donned many hats and had an illustrious career passed away in May this year. 

Singh, a Congressman who had held ministerial posts at various capacities had represented the Bermo seat for six times in both Bihar and Jharkhand Assembly. The Congress party with an attempt to regain the legacy of late Rajendra Babu popularly known by his supporters has given ticket to his son Jaimangal Singh.

The Congress is banking on sympathy votes and work done by Rajendra Babu.

Fighting against Jaimangal Singh is Yogeshwar Mahto Batul whom the BJP has fielded from the prestigious seat. Mahto had represented the seat on earlier occasions too as in 2009 election, Batul defeated Rajendra Babu.

State Congress working president and party spokesperson Rajesh Thakur said, "There is no if and but, we are confident that Jaimangal Singh will win the Bermo seat easily. The man during Rajendra Singh’s tenure as MLA has travelled the area and knows the pulse of people."

Thakur further said, "We are also confident that Jaimangal Singh has a clear cut edge in election as the frustration shown by senior BJP leaders who are campaigning in election is much indicative that BJP has lost the battle."

However, BJP leaders opine that in just nine months the Soren government has become unpopular. State BJP spokesperson, Pradeep Sinha said, "We are going to voters against the dynastic politics. Moreover, the people of the region are fed up with the failure of the Soren government in just nine months."

Though both BJP and Congress are making their own claims behind their parties, the bye-election will decide the coal belt politics of the region.