 "Anti incumbency, JD (U) internal tussle to help Chirag Paswan in Jamui")
State Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary is fighting a tough electoral battle here against debutant Chirag Paswan, son of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan.
The former actor has been instrumental in LJP chief's decision to switch allies. He has been trying hard to push his "development agenda" in a constituency, where caste still Paswan junior is now banking on "Narendra Modi wave" and rising internal tussle in the JD (U) to post a victory.
"He is a fresh face in the rotten lot of old age politicians", said Akbar, a local youth. But he also adds, "If he had not pushed his party in the NDA collation, we would have voted for him." Muslims form 10 per cent of the 14 lakh electors in the constituency. On the other hand, upper caste voters are firmly behind him.
"The incumbent MP Bhudeo Chaudhary of JD (U) did nothing for the area. He barely used his MPLAD fund despite the fact that it is one of the most backward areas in the state," say Manish Kumar, a local journalist. "We see a ray of hope in Chirag. Let's hope he would he would not repeat the mistakes of his predecessors." The reserved constituency has more than 2 lakh upper caste voters and the JD (U) was forced to replace him with Uday Narayan Chaudhary given the strong resentment of masses.
The Assembly Speaker is banking on the development credentials of Nitish government. "We did so many things for weaker segment of the society. Our bicycle scheme proved to be important for girl's education. We paved roads even in the interior areas of the districts," says a JD (U) supporter.
However, the ruling party is having tough times in managing its own leaders. Even state's Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh has recently battered his own government and Chief Minister over rising clot of bureaucracy and rampant corruption. This has further alienated the upper castes from the party. He went to the extent of alleged that Chaudhary is being perceived by many other as a Naxal supporter.
Even an intelligence report also accused Chaudhary for having links with Maoists. The input has alleged that the state assembly speaker has reached an understanding with the Maoists and they had given assurances to support him during the elections in return of money. Chaudhary rubbished the report and termed it as a conspiracy of his political opponents.
"These allegations are completely baseless. I do not have any links with the Naxals. It is nothing but a conspiracy of my opponents. I am going to win and this is why they are hatching conspiracy against me," said a furious Chaudhary. He also demanded proof from the intelligence agencies and said otherwise he would be forced to take legal actions against them.
However, analysts feel it would even help Chaudhary is rural areas of the region. "It's the rural areas here that matter the most. Almost 90 percent of voters come from rural areas, where the whip of Naxal leaders is important. Chaudhary is set to gain if people perceive as a candidate backed by the Maoists. But it would hurt him in upper caste dominated villages."