Vaishali, Bihar: Ex-aide, caste trouble senior RJD leader in his bastion

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Singh is counting on getting a share of the Rajput votes, the RJD’s Muslim-Yadav votes, as well as support from EBC Sahnis, OBC Kushwahas and other OBC groups. However, most of these seem to be still behind the BJP.

There are approximately 3 lakh Rajputs, 2.5 lakh Yadavs, 1.5 lakh Muslims, 1.25 lakh Kushwahas and 1 lakh Bhumihars in Vaishali.

In the Rajput-dominated Berua village, people talk of “Raghuvansh babu” getting them transformers from his MPLAD funds in the late 1990s. While he is criticised for not visiting his seat, Berua up-mukhiya Vijay Kuwar, said the reason for their support to the BJP was “all about Modi”. His bike sporting stickers of Veena Devi, Kumar said, “We do not know much about her.”

An RJD supporter at Tejashwi rally at Sahebganj, Vaishali on Sunday. (Express Photo: Santosh Singh)

The BJP is also gaining from the 10% quota to economically weaker sections from upper castes. “V P Singh implemented the Mandal Commission’s recommendations, Modi gave 10 per cent reservations for us,” said Kuwar.

Pramod Singh, who is from Berua but lives in Pune, said caste was the predominant factor. “Had the RJD fielded a non-Rajput, we would have supported Raghuvansh,” he said.

Basudev Bhagat, a Kushwaha of Bangra village, said most Kushwahas too were still with the NDA, despite leader Upendra Kushwaha having joined the Mahagathbandhan.

At Berua village, Vaishali. (Express Photo: Santosh Singh)

Similarly, while Mukesh Sahni of the Vikassheel Insaan Party has gone with the grand alliance, at Sahni (boatmen)-dominated Hirapur village, Bholi Sahni said, “We have not seen Sahni. Modi has given us LPG gas.”

Shivdulari Devi, a Mallah, said their fish catch had been falling since 2007, with no flood waters reaching their village, and that no leader had helped. However, she said, she had heard only good things about Modi. “Mukesh Sahni should have chosen the NDA.”