Crime a strong contender here

BALIA: Crime has apparently become a major rallying point in this constituency. Laloo Yadav''s decision to foist criminal-turned-politician Suraj Bhan Singh on an LJP ticket has led to a rethink in at least some sections of the RJD chief''s famous MY (Muslim-Yadav) co-mbination, wh-ich constitutes his social-political vote base.
Suraj Bhan Singh is out on bail in a series of cases.Contesting against him is the BJP-backed Janata Dal (United) candidate and sitting MP Ramjivan Singh. Also in the election fray is CPI''s Shatrughan Prasad Singh.
Balia, which is part of Begusarai district, has been the base of Left politics in Bihar. In the past, it has sent CPI''s Suraj Narayan Singh four times.
The split in the Yadav base became clearly evident when state urban affairs minister Sri Narayan Yadav, who hails from this area, did not attend a public meeting addressed by Laloo for Suraj Bhan Singh.
As for the people, they''re all for vikas. Sarvesh Kumar Sudhanshu, a backward caste resident of Balia, does odd jobs as he is unemployed. "It was Lalooji who talked of development. But he''s done nothing for 13 years," he says.
Others nod in agreement. "We''re all backwards but we''ve all decided to support Vajpayeeji''s candidate because the PM is sincerely trying to bring development to Bihar," says Maheshwar Majhi.