HAJIPUR: It is virtually a clash between two tall leaders - LJP president
Ram Vilas Paswan and
RJD chief
Lalu Prasad - in
Hajipur
, though neither is in the fray.
For the first time since he got elected on a Janata Party ticket in 1977, Paswan is seeking votes for his younger brother Pashupati Kumar Paras, an MLC. Paswan had won this seat nine times.
In a direct contest, Paras is pitted against Shiv Chandra Ram of RJD, considered close to both Lalu and his younger son, Tejashwi. "Lalu's prestige is at stake here. Tejashwi has appealed to RJD leaders to work together to ensure Shiv Chandra's victory," said an RJD leader.
Paswan, often referred to as political 'mausam vaigyanik' by Lalu, has been telling people that Paras is his representative. "Agar main Ram hun to Paras Lakshman hai (If I am Ram, Paras is Lakshman)," he said at a rally recently. "Paras aur hum mein koi fark nahi hai (There is no difference between Paras and me)," he added.
Two of the three assembly segments held by the RJD - Mahua and Raghopur - are represented by Lalu's sons Tej Pratap and Tejashwi. The third seat, Rajapakar, was won by Shiv Chandra. Three other assembly seats - Lalganj, Mahnar and Hajipur are held by NDA.
Caste equations give an edge to RJD. There are 3.5 lakh Yadavs, 1 lakh Muslims, 1.40 lakh Kushwahas, 2.5 lakh EBCs, 2.5 lakh Rajputs, 1.40 lakh Bhumihars, 60,000 Brahmins, 1.30 lakh Paswans (Dusadhs), 1.10 lakh Ravidas (Chamar) and around 25,000 Kayasthas in this seat.
However, Tej Pratap's Lalu-Rabri Morcha has fielded a candidate who can cut into RJD votes.