Patna,(BiharTimes): Though apparently the Maharajganj by-poll is of little significance as Lok Sabha poll is due in less than a year time, yet all the important candidates are leaving no stone unturned to win the seat. This is so simply because they consider the battle here as rehearsal for the 2014 by-poll.

A defeat for RJD here may turn out to be the last nail in its coffin as it already had the seat. On the other hand the loss of Janata Dal (United) may be interpreted as the start of the countdown of Nitish Kumar. The victory of either RJD’s Prabhunath Singh or JD(U)’s P K Shahi may turn out to be a morale-booster for the supporters and workers of respective parties.

Incidentally, as always caste rather than development has emerged as the main issue with Congress candidate Jitendra Swamy trying his level best to divide the Rajput votes. But RJD’s supporters are quick to dismiss the Swamy factor.

“True Swamy may walk away with some Rajput votes, but he would get only those votes of his castes which would otherwise have gone to P K Shahi. So he is cutting into JD(U)’s votebank rather than of RJD,” one of his workers told BiharTimes.

Though RJD is sure of the Rajput, Yadav and Muslim votes they are still not sure of EBC and Mahadalit votes. However, the party is confident of Paswan votes.

On the other hand Janata Dal (United) is sure of getting overwhelming Bhumihar, EBC and Mahadalit votes. Besides, it is confident of Rajput and other upper and backward caste votes too. 

Now with Lalu Yadav virtually camping there and Nitish Kumar about to campaign, Congress is pressing into service some big leaders to make the battle triangular. Yet the truth is that JD(U) camp is somewhat worried about sabotage from the rank and file of BJP in the region. 

However, the state BJP chief, Mangal Pandey, visited the place and tried his level best to paper over the crisis within the NDA. 

Maharajganj is often considered as a Rajput bastion of the region. The Janata Dal (United) candidate Prabhunath had won thrice. He was defeated by Uma Shankar Singh (Swamy’s father) of RJD in 2009 election.

In 1989 former Prime Minister Chandrashekar chose to contest from his home turf Ballia (in UP) as well as Maharajganj too as he considered the latter much more ssafe seat. However, after winning from both the places he gave up Maharajganj. A year later he went on to become the Prime Minister of the country, albeit for a few months only. 

Anyway the June 2 by-election will be more crucial to decide the fate of Lalu Yadav rather than Nitish Kumar. Since the latter is in power he still has a lot of cards with him which he can play. The former is fighting the last ditch battle for his survival.