Lalu, Sharad may lose Madhepura forever

Patna, February 20, 2007Madhepura Parliamentary constituency during past parliamentary polls has seen pitched battles between two Yadav chieftains - Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and JD(U) president Sharad Yadav.But the political equations in 2009 Lok Sabha elections at this place might change, as there are strong indications that this backward constituency might be reserved for scheduled caste by the delimitation commission.However, another high-profile constituency, Nalanda, the pocket borough of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, might remain unaffected by the delimitation exercise. Political sources said Nalanda constituency might not figure in the list of seats being considered for being reserved as per the new yardsticks adopted by the commission.If that happens, Lalu along with his bete noire Sharad Yadav would have to quit from Madhepura politics, and have to look for a new constituency to contest the polls.Sharad after losing to Lalu from Madhepura seat in 2004 elections had been elected to the Rajya Sabha while Lalu had vacated the seat by retaining Chapra seat. Later, Pappu Yadav was elected from the seat.Admittedly, if the Madhepura seat were reserved, it would have far reaching political ramifications with an apparent change coming in the caste equations in the Madhepura-Saharsa belt.It is presumed that Dalits and EBCs might take more political space by coming in the political centre stage of the region to replace dominant Yadavs."The commission has already decided in principle to divide Bihar into three zones and reserve one Lok Sabha seat in seven different commissionaries," said one of the associate members of the commission, seeking anonymity.Even the JD (U) has suggested that the exercise of reserving the Lok Sabha seats should be done by picking up seats in equal number from both north and south Bihar.Sources said in addition to Sasaram, Gaya, Hajipur and Rosera, Jamui, Madhepura and one more constituency might be reserved. Sources added that Madhepura falling under the Kosi division and Jamui under the Munger division would be the new additions.Sources also claimed that Aurangabad, which is under consideration might not be reserved, as there are indications that Sasaram would continue to be a reserved seat on the basis of the population of SCs.Aurangabad parliamentary seat is represented by Nikhil Kumar, son of former chief minister Satyendra Narain Sinha.But sources said all the proposals were under consideration and the commission would reserve the seats finally after accepting the suggestions of all political parties and a public hearing in Patna, Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur.“It will take another six months for the commission to finalise its report,” said added another political source.