'Might is right' on full display in Chhapra

'Vyavastha' (manage) is the key word that rules the roost at Chhapra, headquarter of Bihar's Saran district, bordering eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Every one just talks about managing things here – whether men or material. The proverb 'might is right' is on full display in almost every sphere of life here.

Rival camps are already talking about managing even the Lok Sabha election as Chhapra braces itself up for a star clash.

Sitting lawmaker and 'urbane' federal Minister for Civil Aviation Rajiv Pratap Rudy is being challenged by the 'rustic' supremo of the state's ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

The only claim to fame of Saran in the making of contemporary Indian history thus far was for being homes of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first president of India, and notorious Natwar Lal – a fraudster who is part of folklores all over Hindi heartland of India.

Laloo brought Chhapra back in news as he started his political career from here, winning the seat twice and tasting defeat once. He deserted his home district when he moved on to state politics to emerge as its chief minister and then settling for faraway Madhepura Lok Sabha seat.

The generation next politician Rudy aptly filled in the void in the meantime by emerging the new face of Chhapra and registering a phenomenal rise in national politics.

However, Laloo's curious decision to file his nomination paper from Chhapra in addition to Madhepura has brought focus back on Chhapra.

The April 26 polling here has become a prestige issue for Laloo who has put everything imaginable to ensure he wins this seat since he cannot be sure about Madhepura that rejected him in the last general elections.

If number of vehicles involved in campaigning, banners, flags and posters could decide the winner, Laloo would already have been declared the winner.

The entire district has been painted green (RJD's colour). Lanterns which sell well here even in this age due with electricity playing hide and seek is in great demand, is in short supply.

RJD workers are believed to have taken them away, not to hide an embarrassment but to propagate their party symbol. They can be seen hanging by wires in every nook and corner.

As is true of Laloo the politician, who shouts his opponents down, the same trend is visible on the streets too. He has put up his campaign offices bang opposite wherever Rudy, who is candidate of the nation's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has. Loudspeakers blaring music and speeches at full volume have increased decibel levels.

Many living on the Sri Nandan Road of Chhapra town, where the RJD and BJP offices faces each other are complaining of constant headache and hearing problems due to Laloo's loud politics.

In contrast, there are fewer vehicles, posters, flags and banners visible of the BJP. They have not given in but it is part of a strategy adopted by Rudy. He moves out only when Laloo's brigade has tired up and fans to interiors of the district.

Unlike Laloo, who is hovering all over the state by his hired chopper, Rudy is firmly grounded in his constituency and monitors everything himself.

According to him, this being the harvest season, there are not enough people on the streets of rural areas during the day. He campaigns through the night when both heat and dust have settled down and goes to sleep when Laloo's loudspeakers are turned on.

Any outsider may be made to believe that Laloo will simply sweep the Chhapra seat, which betrays the close nature of the contest in which 'vyavastha' (manage) will matter in the ultimate analysis.

Residents of rural areas are reluctant to talk to outsiders and at the most say they will vote for Laloo, but take them into confidence, talk to them in their native language and the story that emerges is different.

"I have developed liking for both Rudy and Vajpayee (the prime minister) and put up a banner of the BJP at my home thinking display of loyalty is not a sin in a democracy.

I was told to remove them by Laloo's men with the threat that if I did not do it I will be 'managed'. I had no choice but to do as told," informed somewhat scared Yogendra Rai of Parsa village.

He was not the only one scared of being managed by RJD workers. The degree of being managed for defiance may vary depending upon one's 'sin'.

Over the past five years, about 250 people, mostly workers and sympathisers of rival parties have simply vanished. It is commonly believed that they were managed.

"We are terrorised and living under constant threat. We cannot demand development and basic needs of life and are expected to vote for a particular party whether you like them or not.

Enough is enough. Let them manage me too, but I must raise the banner of protest," said Akilesh Pandit, 52, almost boiling.

General perception is that the April 26 polls here will be more a test of managing things than attempt to win hearts of the masses.

Booth capturing and bogus voting have been part of electoral system out here, as in most parts of Bihar. Although electronic voting machines have replaced traditional ballot papers to prevent booth capturing and bogus polling, rival camps are sure they will find their way.

"If they do it in their strongholds, we can also do it in our pockets of influence. We won't start it, but if it comes to that we are ready for everything," says Kaushal Kishore, a BJP worker of Amnaur village.

While rival camps make claims and counter claims loudly about wining Chhapra seat, commoners resigned to their fates simply wish them luck by saying 'May the mightiest of the two win'!