SARAN(BIHAR): Amid soaring mercury, the political temperature in Bihar’s Saran Lok Sabha seat, the place of Bharat Ratna awardee Loknayak Jay Prakash Narayan who propounded Total Revolution, is going up. BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, 62, and Rohini Acharya, 44, a daughter of RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav, are fighting it out in the constituency that will go to polls on May 20.
Rudy, who was a pilot, is seeking another term from the seat, reiterating his party’s commitment to a “total freedom from corruption” in the country. Rohini, an MBBS doctor, says she will launch a “total revolution against dictatorial politics” of the ruling BJP if she is elected. PM Narendra Modi and RJD chief Lalu Prasad cast a shadow on the poll battle. “We will vote for the BJP candidate only because we think that the country needs Modi. Otherwise, the MP goes beyond our reach after he wins,” said Pramod Singh, 45, a pharmacist at Sonepur.
Many voters in rural areas said they are not familiar with Rohani but would like to vote for her as she is the daughter of Lalu, who they said has given voice to the downtrodden and OBC people in the state.
“She is an inspiration to us because of her dedication towards her parents. She didn’t think of her life and donated her one kidney to save her father. It was praised by BJP leaders also. So, we would like to see her as our new-generation representative in the LS,” said Neelima Kumar, pursuing MA first year from JP University.
Near Sheetalpur, three youths from an upper caste said they will vote for the better candidate. “Rudy as a pilot flew with passengers while Rohini is a doctor who knows the importance of the health sector. Though she is making her debut in parliamentary politics, she stands a chance. Her father would certainly be her mentor in politics,” said Nanhe Yadav, a BA running a cyber cafe. Saran constituncy has nearly 1,268,338 electors in its six assembly segments -- Madhaura, Chapra, Garkha, Amnaur, Parsa and Sonepur. Rudy had defeated RJD candidate Chandrika Rai, a relative of Lalu, in 2019. In 2014, Rudy had defeated Rohini’s mother and former CM Rabri Devi.
“Rudy will not be defeated by Rohini who is pining hope to win riding on sympathy for donating her kidney to her father. Has she donated her kidney to any poor person?” asked Munna Rajput from Amnaur.
Amid Yadav, a teacher at Amnaur, said, “Rohini is not only a daughter of Lalu but has emerged a role model of girls in particular and youth in general. She will get votes from all castes and Muslim community.”