A deep social divide is visible in Raghopur Assembly constituency from where lalu Prasad’s younger son Tejaswi Prasad Yadav is making electoral debut. The 25-year-old son of former Chief Ministers of Bihar, who wanted to become a cricketer, is sweating it out in the dusty land of Raghopur spread over plain and riverine (diara) areas to win back the seat represented by his parents, lalu and Rabri Devi for almost two and a half decade. He is also looking forward to avenge the defeat of her mother in this constituency in 2010.
Challenging him is the same person Satish Kumar Yadav who had trounced Rabri Devi on JD(U) ticket, and now is fighting elections with BJP ticket. Satish was denied ticket as JD(U)-RJD alliance decided to launch Tejaswi from this seat. The sitting MlA on the other hand was offered a ticket by the BJP.
All sections of the society claim perfect social harmony and say there had been no communal or social unrest in the region even during tough times. “In this election, we have different view points and preference,” said denim-clad Dilip Kumar Yadav near Chechar, where ASI is busy in excavation. The tall guy had a war of words with elderly BJP supporter Rajkumar Singh, a Rajput. Soon the two were joined by other villagers of different castes. Yadav, a resident of Majlispur village was full of scorn for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While Singh claimed a Modi wave, Yadav vociferously denied.
However, none from any side was critical of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and confessed most of the development works were done by him. “The vote in favour of Tejaswi will go in the name of Nitish,” said the eatery owner Bindu Sah.
The RJD is very tactfully projecting Nitish Kumar instead of lalu while asking vote in the name of development. However, if the talk is on social chemistry, the Mahagathbandhan supporters turn towards lalu.
In the Yadav-dominated Dawoodnagar village, the voters are fully committed and not averse of pronouncing their preference. “With lalu and Nitish together, BJP will be eliminated,” said Arvind Kumar Sinha, a farmer, sitting outside his house and discussing poll scenario with co-villagers. He said the BJP got foothold in Bihar because of Nitish and disunity among Socialists.
Taking serious exception of Jungle Raj chorus by BJP leaders, including Mod, Singh narrated a folklore. “Raja Yayati had two sons Jadu and Rghu who were disliked by Shankaracharya. The high priest got his daughter wedded to Yayati and later sent Jadu to jungle,” Singh said adding, “We are descendent of Jadu who was forced to live in jungle and so the Yaduvanshis are called jungle.” lal Babu Yadav added, “When they talk about jungle Raj our vote consolidate further.”
Another villager Bhadai Singh was critical of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Pappu Yadav and called them “vote katwa”. “It is a peculiar situation that despite being in alliance both MSY and Pappu have fielded their candidates in Raghopur only to confuse Yadav voters,” he said.
Even though Raghopur will go to vote in the third phase, lalu kicked off his poll campaign from this constituency. He even declared that in the Mahagathbandhan Government, Tejaswi will play a key role. It is being interpreted among his followers that the young Yadav might be elevated as deputy Chief Minister.
Satish Kumar for whom 2010 was a debut election and he emerged giant killer by defeating Rabri Devi also knows that it is tough fight. He is facing anti-incumbency as people complain him of works not done in the last five years. “We have a strong Government at Centre. Please help NDA form Government in Bihar then all works will be done smoothly,” he assures the complaining people at Saidpur Kushwaha tola. One elder villager was heard saying, “We have a lot of complaints but since you have joined BJP we will vote for you.”