In Chirag shadow in Jamui, brother-in-law invokes Paswan legacy, rides on Modi factor

The 48-year-old Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Arun Bharati, an MBA, became active in politics after the demise of his father-in-law Ram Vilas Paswan, the LJP founder and ex-Union minister, in 2020. He then started accompanying his brother-in-law Chirag Paswan, the sitting Jamui MP, during his public outreach in the constituency.

Fielded by Chirag-led LJP (RV) as its candidate from Jamui, which is going to the Lok Sabha elections in the first phase on April 19, Bharati seems to be going all out on his campaign trail, telling people about his party’s election symbol “helicopter” and seeking their votes with folded hands.

Bharati’s campaign got a shot in the arm as Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially kicked off the BJP-led NDA’s campaign in Bihar from Jamui Thursday. Under the NDA’s agreement for Bihar’s 40 seats, the LJP (RV) has been allotted five seats as the BJP preferred Chirag over his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras whose LJP faction was not given any seat.

On Friday, Bharati, in white kurta and pyjamas, campaigned in Shekhpura, one of six Assembly segments of Jamui, the other five being Jamui, Sikandara, Jhajha, Chakai and Tarapur.

As he comes out of his car at Chewada Chowk, his party’s district president Imam Ghazali, the BJP’s Shekhpura district general secretary Sanjay Singh and Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) state general secretary Rahul Kumar welcome him and introduce him to several local residents.

Bharati politely tells them that he is a “Chirag’s representative”. He accepts their marigold garlands and then heads to garland the statue of B R Ambedkar amid clapping. Some young voters request for selfies with him and are promptly obliged.

It is 12 noon and mercury has already risen sharpy.