There are few takers for the allegation that Fernandes goofed up in handling the Kargil war. Fewer still for Laloo's diatribe against the Union Defence Minister. The constituency from where Fernandes has been winning for the past four times thinks he has done a great job in taking the country's pride to a new peak. Even the RJD's Nalanda candidate last year, Ram Swaroop Prasad, who had bagged an impressive 3.29 lakh votes is now with Fernandes and is campaigning for him.

For Laloo, the troika of Fernandes, hisSamata colleague Nitish Kumar and Janata Dal (United) leader Ram Vilas Paswan needs to be defeated at any cost. Having joined hands just before the elections, they have consolidated almost all the Opposition forces in the state and pose a formidable challenge to the RJP. So, even though the RJP itself does not have a candidate in Nalanda and has no working relationship with the CPI, Laloo is pumping in resources as well as manpower to shore up the chances of the latter's candidate, Gaya Singh. Laloo has openly adopted Singh as his candidate and was even present when he filed his nomination.

But Fernandes knows his territory well. And having Paswan who of late has emerged as the leader of the Dalits by his side has only made his position stronger. Dalits comprise 27 per cent of the constituency's population and admit that Laloo is not the messiah they once thought he was. Sure of their support, Paswan boasts: ``Once again, George sahib will win this prestigious seat. He has been trying to give a faceliftto the constituency.'' Kurmi leader Nitish Kumar, for his part, has ensured the support of his community for the JD(U)-Samata combine. Laloo's decision to back Gaya Singh also seems to have backfired. The Bhumihars which the RJP supremo must have been eyeing are solidly behind Fernandes too.

Last time, the Samata leader had bagged 51 per cent of the valid votes polled. If he gets the votes of Dalits, Kurmis as well as Bhumihars -- all three have been at the other end of the stick in the Laloo regime -- Fernandes may well increase his share.

In the past, the constituency has been known to favour Left parties, but Fernandes has overpowered everything now. He appeals to the people both as an ``anti-Establishment'' person and as a man who can get things done. Some development projects that he recently launched in Nalanda have further boosted his support base.

Besides, there is the Vajpayee factor. For Nalanda, Fernandes represents Atal Behari Vajpayee, who they want to see as prime minister again. The BJP'scampaign line of ``one vote having felled the government'' has hit home here and the people are determined to ensure that ``Atalji'' gets more seats this time.

To complete the disaster picture for Laloo, even Muslims and Yadavs of his MY brigade seem to nourish a soft spot for Fernandes. Several Muslims in Biharsharif, Rajgir and other villages criticise Laloo's charge that Fernandes has become a BJP agent. Sheikh Mubarak of Biharsharif, which has seen caste riots in the past, seals the RJP's case. Rubbishing Laloo's allegation, he says: ``On the contrary, it is due to Fernandes that the BJP has changed its policy. He is so powerful, he can dictate his terms.'' Once, Laloo could have claimed the same.