Chirag Paswan banks on Narendra Modi magic for second innings from Jamui Lok Sabha seat

JAMUI: LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan’s son and sitting MP Chirag Paswan is banking on PM Narendra Modi’s charishma and a favourable caste equation to get re-elected from the Maoist-hit Jamui Lok Sabha seat, which will go to the polls on April 11.


Chirag had won in 2014 with 11% margin of votes. The RJD candidate had polled 25.71%, closely followed by JD(U) nominee, who had got 25.60% of the total votes polled.

JD(U) had contested the 2014 election alone. But this time, JD(U), LJP and BJP are part of the NDA. Chirag is pitted against Bhudeo Choudhary of the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP). Choudhary had won the seat in 2009 on JD(U) ticket against Shyam Rajak of RJD.

According to political observers, Jamui has over 11% Mahadalit population, which may favour Chirag. However, the electorates of Sonpe, Malepur, Laxmipur, Katauna, Dhanberia, Chahandi and some other villages dominated by Rajputs have a grudge against the actor-turned-politician. They say Chirag didn’t meet people after winning the election.

“MP Saheb kisi se milte hin nahin hai. Unka aadmi milta hai. Humne MP Chirag Paswan ko chuna hai ya unke admi ko (Chirag doesn’t meet people. His point man meets us. Have we elected Chirag as MP or his man),” asked Sanjay Kumar Singh (43) of Sonpe near Jamui town.

Electorates at Sikandara block also tell a similar story. “Though Chirag is a young leader, he never visited Sikandara in the last five years,” alleged Ram Pujan Yadav (65). He said the residents had asked the MP to help in getting sub-division status to Sikandara and opening a sub-registry office here. “Nothing happened. Why should I support him when he is least bothered about people’s grievances,” Yadav said.

Chirag, on the contrary, lists development works done during his five-year tenure. “For the first time, a Kendriya Vidyalaya and a medical college have been opened here. I also brought a mega railway project for my constituency,” he claimed.

But locals said Chirag is mainly sailing on PM Modi’s charishma. He is also facing threat of ‘bhitarghat’ (sabotage) from a strong politician of the region, who is helping the GA candidate this time. A banner giving poll boycott call by the residents of Tari Kadil under Dabil panchayat indicated the voters’ mood.

Bhudeo, on the other hand, is banking on traditional vote bank of RJD — MY (Muslim-Yadav). “Since I am a local and have remained closely associated with my voters, it gives me benefit over my rival, who spends most of his time in Delhi,” said the former MP. Choudhary’s supporters, who were campaigning in the Maoist-hit Khaira village, said, “Is baar Bhudeo ko sansad jane so koi rok nahi sakta hai (Nobody can stop Bhudeo from going to Parliament this time).”

The electors’ mood is reflected in the discussions among locals in Jamui. A group of daily wagers at a bidi factory near Giddhaur Bazar were busy discussing the impact of PM Narendra Modi’s election rally at Kaira on April 2 in favour of Chirag.

“The scene has changed after Modi’s visit,” said Navin Kumar (35) of Giddhaur, which is around 16km from the Jamui headquarters.

Giddhaur is the native place of former social welfare department minister and JD(U) leader Damodar Raut, who is working hard to ensure the victory of Chirag. Raut, who was present at Modi’s rally, dismissed the apprehensions that Maoists may vitiate the poll process in the constituency.

“Where are the Maoists? Roads, electricity, hospitals and other development works have dissuaded local residents from the banned outfit. I don’t think they have any say. Electorates are more conscious now and aware of their rights. ‘Janta sab janti hai (people know everything)’,” Raut said after returning from election campaign.