Hathua assembly constituency, which was once considered the strong political home constituency of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, this time in the election phase was seen to be drenched in caste turmoil, but the real questions were completely sidelined. Former minister Ramsevak Singh from NDA and current MLA Rajesh Singh Kushwaha from Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) are face to face. The special thing is that both of them come from Kushwaha community and this assembly constituency is also considered to be Kushwaha dominated. This is the reason why the atmosphere seemed to be focused more on caste arithmetic rather than development. Ramsevak Singh, who had won several times on JDU ticket in the 2020 elections, was defeated by RJD candidate Rajesh Singh Kushwaha. Now both are in competition again, and apart from these, candidates from independent and small parties are also present in the fray, whose presence can become the reason for scattering of votes.

Both big candidates are from same caste, issues missing in campaign

In the election speeches, both the parties left no stone unturned to corner each other, but questions like roads, employment, education, health and regional structure almost remained missing from the platforms. Bathua market, which is the largest commercial center of Phulwaria block, is still deprived of basic facilities including bypass road. The problem of traffic jam, chaos and cleanliness continues to persist, but no candidate has made it a primary issue. The demand of Nagar Panchayat has also remained unfulfilled for many years. Local businessmen say that getting Nagar Panchayat status would have given a new breath to business, but this issue also got lost somewhere in the election noise.

Governments changed, but the face of Hathua did not change.

The foreigners who returned to the village between Chhath festival and elections have also raised the same question that for how long will the face of Hathua remain the same despite changing governments? From youth to businessmen, voters are now in a dilemma whether to vote on caste identity or on thinking that can open the way for change and development in the future. After the campaign ended, the discussion from tea shops to localities was whether development will prevail over caste this time?

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store – https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share