Uphill task for Meira Kumar in Sasaram

Meira Kumar, the union minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, has the distinction of winning four Lok Sabha elections from three states, but this time around may not be easy, largely due to the split between the Congress and RJD-LJP combine.

Meira Kumar, the union minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, has the distinction of winning four Lok Sabha elections from three states, but this time around may not be easy, largely due to the split between the Congress and RJD-LJP combine.

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Lalan Paswan, the JD(U) MLA from Chenari in Sasaram parliamentary seat, became a turncoat just before the polls and joined Lalu Prasad's RJD to throw his hat into the ring. Trying to queer the pitch is also Gandhi Azad, a BSP Rajya Sabha member and Bihar incharge, who is making his maiden bid to enter the Lok Sabha from Sasaram, a constituency adjoining Uttar Pradesh where Mayawati holds sway.

Meira, a former diplomat, is the daughter of Babu Jagjivan Ram. A law graduate, who also has a Masters in English, Meira is seen as a pro-active social justice minister, who crusaded for legal right for aged parents to seek maintenance from their adult off-springs.

But allegations of neglecting her constituency have been flying thick and fast. "She is a hardworking minister and her preoccupation with her job may have led some to draw the conclusion that she has neglected her constituency," feels a confidante wishing not to be named.