Lok Sabha elections 2014: When Yadavs bank on Bhumihars

It is a do or die clash for the Yadavas in one of the most fiercely contested battles of Patliputra that became a Lok Sabha seat after delimitation in 2009. Much is at stake both for Misa Bharti, Lalu's eldest daughter and Ram Kripal Yadav contesting from Patliputra constituency on a BJP ticket and even for sitting MP Ranjan Prasad Yadav who defeated Lalu Prasad Yadav in the last Lok Sabha elections.

The three leaders locked in a pitched battle are struggling against time and are engaged in bitter war of words even as they have launched a door-to-door campaign.

Patliputra with a predominant Yadav population. But this time the entry of three Yadavas in the fray is bound to ensure that other castes like Bhumihar which are close to the Yadavas in number could be the deciding factor.

Ram Kripal Yadav who quit the RJD after almost 30 years of association was spotted touching the feet of former Union minister CP Thakur who has not only been on a winning spree from the area but also is believed to enjoy the unflinching support of the Bhumihars [the caste he belongs] that number approximately 3 lakhs among the 16.50 lakh voters in the area. Ram Kripal knows that the Yadav votes are bound to get split but is banking heavily on Bumihars.

Ram Kripal Yadav is hopeful that the Modi wave will work in his favour. "It was stifling for me in the RJD. The party workers are being humiliated and the party has become a family business so I quit and decided to contest from the place on a BJP ticket. There is Modi wave across the country and so I decided to support him," he said.

While Ram Kripal Yadav and Misa Bharti have now started reaching out to people with road shows and even door to door campaigns, Ranjan Yadav was spotted saying, "I do not believe in road shows and rallies but I am a leader of the people and I am establishing one to one contact with the people." He is riding high on the development plank of Nitish Kumar.

Lalu Yadav who suffered a humiliating defeat in the last Lok Sabha elections at the hands of his one time trusted close confidante Ranjan Yadav by a margin of over 23,000 votes is trying to put the best foot forward. And in what is now snowballing into a desperate move by Lalu, he appointed one of the dreaded gangsters of the area Reet Lal Yadav presently in Patna jail on several heinous charges as the party's general secretary. Lalu even went to his father and touched his feet amidst talks that Reet Lal Yadav was head bent upon contesting as an independent from the same seat. This would have further dampened the chances of Misa Bharti who is already struggling hard against two of her uncles.

Misa Bharti may be a green horn in politics but her statements are measured. "I know the weaknesses of my two uncles, the voters will teach them a lesson," she said to Zee Purvaiya.

The fragile caste equations however may throw surprises for Lalu as pointed by a former sarpanch of Maner which is regarded as a strong bastion of the RJD , "Lalu's move of roping in the support of Reet Lal Yadav may boomerang as return of jungle raj is feared. Reet Lal has been a terror in the area, Lalu has alienated the votes which could have gone in his favor," he said on condition of anonymity. Lalu, however, had said earlier, "Reet Lal was framed by Nitish Kumar."

Ram Kripal on the other hand is believed to have an edge in several pockets with his excellent one to one connect with the people. "While in RJD it was never Lalu, it was me all along who went to the people and addressed their grievances," he told dna.

For Lalu much is at stake in the battle for Saran and Patliputra. The preference of his wife and daughter in selection of tickets by undermining the aspirations of the party workers including those who stood by him even during hours of distress has sent out the wrong message among the workers.

1. Ranjan Yadav: [JD(U)] For: Sitting MP, experienced hand, assurance of development and support of Nitish.
Against: Split within BJP-JD(U), dent in traditional vote bank, anti-incumbency factor.

2. Misa Bharti: For: [RJD] Lalu's legacy and support base of the party, new face, clean image.
Against: A green horn in politics, pitched against bigwigs, erosion in RJD's support base; overlooking of workers within the party.

3. Ram Kripal Yadav, [BJP] For: Clean image, accessible and direct connect with the people, riding high on Modi wave.
Against: Alienation of particular community after joining BJP, new to BJP politics.

Main issues:
1. Massive erosion in Maner and Danapur area by Ganga
2. Lack of irrigation facility in Paliganj, Bikram and Dulhin Bazar area
3. Poor roads and poor electricity in the entire constituency
4. Lack of development work in the area
5. Land acquisition in several parts
6. Polluted drinking water [arsenic] in several areas

Results 2009
Ranjan Yadav JD(U): 2.69 lakhs
Lalu Prasad Yadav RJD: 2.46 lakhs
Rameshwar Prasad CPI (M-L): 36,000
Vijay Yadav Congress: 18,000

Areas of influence
Assembly constituency wise:
Danapur: BJP
Paliganj: BJP
Vikram: BJP
Phulwarishreef: JD(U)
Masaudhi: JD(U)
Maner :RJD

Total Voters 16.50 lakhs
Yadavas are 5 lakh
Bhumihar. 3 lakhs

Vaishya:
Dalit 2 lakhs

Paswan: 1 lakh

Most Backward: 2 lakh

Muslims: 1.25 lakhs