Windfall for dealers in race for SUVs

Scorpios, Boleros, Tata Safaris and other such vehicles are believed to be the staple feature of the cities. Operators of vehicle showrooms, however, revealed that the panchayat elections in Bihar’s hinterland have suddenly augmented the sale of vehicles. any showrooms are running short of big vehicles with candidates for the position of mukhiya, block pramukhs and councillors buying them. “Contestants for local bodies are cash rich now with the government pumping funds for the implementation of the rural development schemes. They feel that if their campaign in big vehicles raises their status attracting more voters to vote for them,” a car showroom manager told The Telegraph. The legislators are already envious towards the local body office-bearers rising in financial and executive clout. The local bodies’ office-bearers surpassing the lawmakers in terms of using smart vehicles will, apparently, make them for jealous.

From jeep to tractor

Sheoprasad Choudhary (in picture), the father of former chief minister Rabri Devi owned a jeep as long as his daughter and son-in-law Lalu Prasad stayed in power. Sheoprasad, who hails from Selar village in north Bihar's Gopalganj district, is also contesting for the mukhiya’s post. Recently, he was seen riding a tractor owned by someone else. An inquiry revealed that Sheoprasad has sold his jeep and has been using his friend's tractor to move out in the hinterland soliciting support. Has the loss of the family’s political power and related financial power anything to do with Sheoprasad selling his jeep? It is hard o answer but the fact remains that on one stage, he had his daughter and son-in-law the “king” and “queen” of Bihar and his sons - Sadhu Yadav and Subhas Yadav as the MPs. As of now, none of his family members are either in Parliament or in the state legislature. Probably, Sheoprasad has decided to contest the election of mukhiya to revive the family's political prowess.

Bengal turnout puzzles leaders

The first phase of Assembly elections in neighbouring Bengal two days back recording 83 per cent polling has generated animated discussions in Bihar’s political circles. Leaders drawn from various political parties were seen animatedly discussing such a high poll percentage at Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park - a rendezvous of politicians of various hues in the morning hours. “The high percentage suggests the CPM cadres have fought in a strong anner to save their bastion. They have not allowed their single votes getting perished,” said a ruling JD-U leader. A BJP leader countered: “It is just the opposite. The people have turned up in a huge numbers to change the Left regime in Bengal. The high turnout suggests the voters’ enthusiasm to have the government of their choice against the CPM-led Left.” A senior ongressman quipped: “Loitering in the zoo you cannot figure out the intent of the high percentage of voting here. You should have gone there to understand the henomena. Others turned up with their wn analysis appeared unending.”

Crowd complex

The 10, Circular Road, a posh bungalow adjacent to 1, Aney Marg, which Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar occupies continues to be in the name of Rabri Devi, Nitish’s predecessor, even five months after she lost the elections and also her status as the leader of Opposition. But Rabri Devi and her husband, Lalu Prasad, spend most of their time in New Delhi where Lalu has got a house in his capacity as the MP. A house guard furnished a curious reason for Rabri and Lalu staying away from 10, Circular Road. “Rabri gets irritated to see the huge crowds on Monday on the street that separates her house with Nitish. Earlier, she used to get big crowds at her home. But she is jealous of the crowd assembling at Nitish’s house. That is why she likes to spend most of her time with Lalu Prasad at New Delhi.”