Mahua(Vaishali), Nov. 1 -- Ten years back, Mahua assembly seat had gained prominence when RJD chief Lalu Prasad's elder son Tej Pratap made his electoral debut from the seat. A decade later, the RJD stronghold constituency is witnessing a piquant poll battle where elder Yadav scion has made a comeback to this seat to try his luck in the poll battle again. But this election, the 37-year -ld former minister is busy campaigning in this seat both as a candidate and head of his newly floated Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD), apparently to establish himself as an 'independent' leader by coming out of the shadows of his parents, Lalu Prasad and former chief minister Rabri Devi following his expulsion from the RJD by posing a challenge to his previous party RJD, in the seat where Yadavs and few other caste men including Muslims have dominance. Yadav was expelled a few months back from the RJD in wake of a series of controversies and purported 'sibling rivalry' with his younger brother and opposition INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Prasdad Yadav. Needless to say, the Mahua assembly seat which is still considered a RJD stronghold is witnessing a piquant poll battle where Tej Pratap, a candidate of JJD, is pitted against his previous party RJD 's nominee and sitting MLA, Mukesh Raushan and Lok Janshakti Party (RV) candidate Sanjay Singh. "It's a difficult choice for us this time. Both Tej Pratap and RJD's led by Lalu ji and Tejashwi are dear to us. We still do not know what to do," said Vinay Kumar, a farmer belonging to Yadav community, who resides at Mahua Sadapur village in the constituency. Locals like Surendra Kumar, a wholesale shop owner of electrical items in Mahua town, highlighted that the contest this time has become interesting as there is a close fight between RJD's nominee Raushan and Tej Pratap though he asserted that LJP(RV) candidate Sanjay Singh, who hails from Rajput community, is the proverbial dark horse. Locals said Singh may garner upper caste votes along with traditional voters of NDA among Yadavs, other OBCs as well EBCs and weaker sections. Incidentally, a state government medical college cum hospital coming up at Mahua has become the symbol of development being showcased by Tej Pratap , his rival Rakesh Raushan and LJPV(RV) , which is a constituent of the NDA. "A hospital was promised by Tej Pratap when he had become MLA for the first time. It is now coming up. It will be a boon for us as it would have the best of medicare facilities," said, Ajay Kumar, another resident of Mahua. Tej Pratap , in his campaign, has been talking about how he is committed to development and had got this Rs.500 crore plus project approved when he was the health minister during the RJD-JD(U) led Mahagathbandhan government from 2015 to 2017. "I have always worked for the development of Mahua. People have called me here again, which is why I am contesting," Yadav has been saying in his speeches, while asserting that his priority is total development of the state even as he has taken oblique potshots at his previous party RJD and younger brother Tejashwi. "JJD is the real RJD now. In RJD, there are only sycophants," Yadav told recently. The RJD nominee Mukesh Raushan is seeking votes in the name of RJD's poll promise of giving jobs and Tejashwi's projection as a CM face of the INDIA bloc alliance. "I have worked for the people of the constituency for last five years and remained committed to development. RJD should be strengthened so that we have Tejashwi as CM of Bihar," Raushan has been saying in his rallies. The LJP (RV) nominee Sanjay Singh too has been touting the achievements of the BJP-JD(U) led NDA government and how the hospital project has got fast tracked by the present dispensation for providing better medicare facilities to Mahua residents and other adjoining areas. However, some like Mehboob Raja of Kadilpur village claimed the RJD has an edge as the party has its sitting MLA and Tejashwi is also promising jobs to households, if he comes to power. "We do not know who will come to power in Bihar. But RJD and INDIA bloc is opposing the BJP-led NDA. We want a change in government in Bihar too," Raja said, obliquely hinting that the RJD does have its influence among the minority votes, who comprise a sizeable section of voters' population in the seat. In fact, there are speculations that Mahua seat where Yadavs having a dominance in voters' base followed by Rajputs , EBCs and muslim minorities may witness a split in Yadav vote bank owingto Tej Pratap's own influence in the constituency, which could impact the poll prospects of the RJD. "Yadavs hold the key for deciding the victory of any candidate. Much would depend on how much is the split in Yadav votes towards Tej Pratap. If it's minimal, there would be less of a challenge for the RJD or else , the victory in this seat may come as a surprise because of the complex caste equations," said Anil Kumar Anil, a teacher residing in Mahua,. He said the Rajput votes are crucial for both the RJD ,JJD and LJP(RV). Evidently, the poll battle becoming intense in Mahua as elder Yadav scion is trying to flex muscles in his old constituency, the RJD has taken a cautious stand of not hitting out at the former minister realising how it could lead to some resentment among its core Yadav vote base. Tejashwi himself has played its safe over his elder brother fighting in Mahua and putting candidates against RJD nominees in many seats including Raghopur. "That is the beauty of democracy. People of the constituency and state would decide," Tejashwi said even as former chief minister Rabri Devi too has chosen not to denounce or take a hard stand against her elder son for contesting against the party's nominees. "Tej Pratap is doing fine. He is fighting alone. Let him do it," Rabri said, when asked about Tej Pratap's ongoing campaign in Mahua. Nonetheless, as Mahua goes to vote on November 6 in the first phase of polling, locals seemingly are enjoying the aggressive electioneering by the main contenders including Tej Pratap's bid to take on his rivals by his cryptic comments , a style he wants to ape like his father RJD chief known for his witty ways and inimitable way of talking in rustic ways. "This election, there will be a close contest because of Tej Pratap's entry in the poll ring. Kuch toh drama ho raha , is baar ( There is much of drama here). But much is at stake for the RJD and NDA as well too," said Surendra Sharma, who is in iron trade belonging to EBC category....