CHIRAG IN CHARGE
PATNA: Lalu Yadav’s succession plan is still not clear as he has fielded both his sons Tejashwi and Tejpratap, but his ex-colleague Ram Vilas Paswan is a “relaxed” man. His son Chirag Paswan has almost taken over the party and is taking all key decisions, including selection of candidates. No wonder then that Patna’s Fraser Road is full of Lok Janshakti Party hoardings with Chirag’s photograph even bigger than his father’s, with the slogan “Ye wo chirag hai, jo har ghar ko roshan karega.”
LOW-PROFILE MAN AS CM?
PATNA: As the BJP has not declared its chief ministerial candidate, the state party office at Birchand Patel Path is full of speculation. It is believed that a dark horse may emerge at the final stage and a not-so-high-profile leader may be chosen for the top post, similar to what happened in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand, thus ruling out Sushil Kumar Modi, who is so far considered the “obvious choice” given his seniority. Some say a senior RSS leader, Rajendra Singh, who closely monitored the Jharkhand elections last year, may be the dark horse.
FRENZY OVER LIST OF NAMES
PATNA: The BJP office is humming with activity with hordes of SUVs parked outside. Though the JDU and RJD offices nearby look comparatively deserted, the real activity is outside the residences of Nitish Kumar at Anne Marg and his neighbour Lalu Yadav. Before the list of the Lalu-Nitish combine was announced on Wednesday, ticket seekers could be seen pleading with senior leaders to ensure they make it to the list. A leader was seen pleading with a peon in the RJD office to show him the draft list which was being finalised. “Hamara kaam to chai-paani pilana hai. Humko kya pata? Jaiye computer section mein, shayad kuch pata chal jai,” the peon told him.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
PATNA: Denied tickets, many BJP leaders are protesting inside the party office. At times, three-four groups can be seen protesting simultaneously. However, party leaders have a different take, maintaining it is a good sign that so many people want to contest elections. “Ye parivar ka mamla hai. They are expressing their anger before the party leadership. Are they protesting outside the office? They will gradually understand and accept the party’s decision and go back,” said a party office bearer.
PUBLICITY BLITZ
PATNA: Publicity materials like flags, posters, banners are in huge demand outside party offices. The parties are also taking help from agencies to make advertisements for radio, TV and social networking sites. Many such agencies, like one Prachar Bharti, have put up their ads outside these offices, displaying the services they are offering.