Maybe, it's just out of habit.

But his partymen say it's the fear of Laloo. Deshpande, who has been with George for the past 25 years and at present managing his election, says: `Laloo sab kuch kar sakta hain (Laloo can do everything). So we have to be alert and also keep the concerned agencies informed.'

Then was George's complaint based on just hunch? George says `No'. `Those who are in the know -- of issuing excess ballot papers -- are my source of information. On this tip-off,I also mentioned in my complaint that I fear that excess ballot papers might have been issued for 40 constituencies in Bihar,' he says.

Have these ballot papers been transported out of the West Bengal press? George has no comments.

But Nalanda is full of rumours and his partymen are convinced that excess ballot papers have already been transported to Bihar and those who helped in transporting them are the source of information. How did the `truckloads' land and how many? The standard reply: Laloo sab kuch kar sakta hain.

George says he is still apprehensive of the might of the Laloo-Rabri government. Looking tired during his campaign in rural Nalanda, he put up a smile while talking about his winning margin. `In 1996, I won by 1.76 lakh votes. In 1998, the margin of victory came down to 1.14 lakh. This time I am sure to cross two lakh.'

This time Laloo doesn't have a candidate. He has decided to support Gaya Singh to defeat the former Socialist colleague.

Last time when CPI's Gaya Singhcontested against George, he stood fourth with 46,000 votes. Rashtriya Janata Dal and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) were second and third respectively.

Though RJD is supporting Gaya Singh, its cadre seems to be less enthusiastic about it. Even the caste equation does not favour Gaya Singh, who is a Bhumihar. Bhumihars form only one lakh out of the total 11 lakh votes. Kurmis are in majority and they are with the Samata Party.

Samata Party insiders say that George had reasons to panic. First, George is seeking re-election for the third time in four years. The constituency has virtually seen no development. George launched the attack to divert the issue, they say.

Secondly, they say, the entry of Vishnu Bhagwat as a campaigner for Gaya Singh disturbed the SP leaders. With his complaint, he could divert the issue again.

Bhagwat's campaigning, however, is a non-factor here so far. Just an hour before his fifth rally at Bihar Sharif today, some passerby had to climb up the podium to find whois coming to address. And when he came and alleged that George had made money in defence deals, it did not find favour with the audiences.