In Rabri Devi's village, murmurs of a Modi wave

PHULWARIA/SELAR KALAN (GOPALGANJ): The people of Lalu Prasad’s native village Phulwaria, under Gopalganj reserved seat, are sympathetic towards the plight of the jailed RJD chief. But neighbouring Selar Kalan, his wife Rabri Devi’s village, appears indifferent to the “troubles” of its son-in-law. Some here are even talking about a “Modi wave” and the work done by CM Nitish Kumar.

Many villagers say Lalu worked only for his Phulwaria village, where people got jobs in the Railways, while Rabri’s village did not get any such benefits. Lalu’s Phulwaria has a railway station, a helipad, a referral hospital in the name of Lalu’s mother Marachia Devi, a massive temple, a land registry office, a bank, a post office and government schools.

Incidentally, only one passenger train stops at Phulwaria. As if to make up for the “deficiencies”, Rabri’s village was also connected in 2008 and a halt has been built. Pradeep Kumar Yadav (18), son of the late Gulab Yadav, one of Lalu’s five brothers, said all development in Phulwaria was done during Lalu’s tenure. “No work happened in this village after Lalu chacha. He was jailed due to a political conspiracy and there is anger among the people for this,” he said. Farmer Munna Kumar Yadav echoed Lalu’s nephew.


“We are angry with the ruling government for conspiring against Laluji. Jagannath Mishra (Bihar ex-CM) was granted bail in the same fodder scam case because he belongs to the upper caste and his son is in BJP. People have sympathy for Laluji and it will be reflected in the polling,” he said. Septuagenarian Sukhdev Ram claimed Lalu worked for all communities.

“I used to rear cattle in the village along with Lalu in our childhood. This village has a population of Yadavs, Telis, Bhumihars, Brahmins and Paswans among others. Whatever development work has been done in this village is for all these people. Lalu always worked for poor people, irrespective of caste,” said Sukhdev. However, the people of his wife’s village appear unhappy.

“Chori kar rahe hain, ghotala kar rahe hain, toh jail jayenge hi. Modiji mein hi desh ka suraksha hai (If you steal, you will go to jail. The country’s security lies in Modi),” said Bisheshwar Nath Singh (76), a resident of Selar Kalan. Another villager, Gulabji Kumar (40), who is an electrician in Muscat, said: “People in Phulwaria got government jobs, we got nothing.” Even women in Rabri’s village did not seem supportive of Lalu’s family. Parmila Devi lauded Lalu’s arch-rival Nitish. “He has brought education to the state. Besides, liquor has been prohibited, the most welcome step for which he will have support of women.”