Malick Asghar Hashmi/New Delhi

“Like all five fingers are not same, everyone doesn’t have the same feelings and ideas,” Hina Shahab, an independent candidate who is contesting Lok Sabha elections from Siwan in Bihar told a group of women in a village during her campaign. As women were ruing that nobody they had elected in the past made any change in their lives, Hina Shahab intently listened to them before explaining why they must vote for her.

She reminded the women voters that all the development work done so far in that parliamentary constituency is the contribution of her late husband Shahabuddin. Giving an example, she says in Bhojpuri, “The road to the village was built by her husband 20 years ago. After that, no development work took place in the area.”

Hina Shahab asserts, “We are from a family that walks the talk.”

Speaking to Awaz-the Voice over the phone, Hina Shahab said that she was a homemaker. She has contested Lok Sabha elections twice after her husband was not allowed to contest elections.

Hina Shahab adressing a meeting

During campaigning, Hina Shahab wears a simple cotton saree and an abaya over it.

Hina Shahab is the wife of Shahabuddin, who was elected to Lok Sabha from Siwan several times. He died in Tihar Jail during Corona pandemic, where he was serving a jail term for murder. He was considered a ‘don’ in the Siwan area. 

Once upon a time, the Shahabuddin family had good relations with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. However, after Shahabuddin’s death, the relations turned sour. 

It is alleged that due to opposition from Shahabuddin's family, RJD had to face defeat in Siwan in the assembly elections.

Hina Shahab is locked in a triangular fight with the RJD and BJP candidates.

When she was asked about issues in this election, she said, “For those who hail from Bihar, the key issue is of law and order which is quite bad.”

“Development has almost stopped in Bihar; the law and order situation is not good. There is a crisis of livelihood.”

Hina Shahab meeting voters

While talking to Awaz-the Voice, she tried to avoid direct criticism of Modi or Nitish Kumar. When she spoke of developmental issues, she refrained from using any names,

What does she think of issues like women, education, health, and employment in the area? She said, “There is a need for comprehensive reforms in all areas. Like other parts of the country, women are not safe here (Bihar) too. Law and order has to be looked into more intently. The condition of education, health, and development of the entire Bihar including Siwan will have to be improved.

Hina Shahab said if she is elected “I would make sure that my constituency gets maximum funds for development.”

Let us tell you that voting is to be held in Siwan in the last week of this month. The process of filing nominations is yet to begin. Notwithstanding it, Hina Shahab has already launched a vigorous campaign. 

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She says, “I will be the first one to fill the nomination form.”