Citing poor health, Ram Vilas Paswan this time opted out of the Lok Sabha poll and fielded his brother from his traditional Hajipur (reserved) constituency but his ‘Lakshman’ is apparently locked in a tough battle against RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s Shivchandra ‘Ram’. Local vs outsiderMr. Ram is a local from Mahua block of Vaishali district, while Mr. Paras comes from Alauli of Khagaria district. Lalu Prasad’s two sons — Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav — represent Mahua and Raghopur constituencies respectively, and Mr. Ram is a legislator from Rajapakar. “It’s a battle between Lalu’s Ram and Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lakshman… it’s also a contest between local versus outsider,” said sexagenarian Jagdish Rai of Raghopur. Mr Ram, who is said to be close to Mr. Tejashwi and Mr. Lalu, was a Minister in the previous grand alliance government in the State.

Source: The Hindu May 05, 2019 20:07 UTC