There are over hundred such descendants of families of zamindaars, rajas and nawabs who are contesting the elections. Their riyasats have long gone but their loyal following remains.

Some of these aspirants are seasoned politicians like Raghuraj Pratap Singh Raja Bhaiya (the uncrowned prince of Kunda in Pratapgarh), Kunwar Anand Singh of Mankapur in Gonda, descendant of Khajoorgaon riyasat in Rae Bareli, Kunwar Devendra Pratap Singh, Kunwar Ajay Pratap Singh of Bargadi Kot riyasat in Gonda and Kunwar Shivendra Pratap Singh of Siswan (Maharajganj). Then there are the first timers, still grappling with the basics of politics.

So what’s got them out on the road?
“We should not always be the recipient, but should also work as a donor,” says Kunwar Ajay Kumar Tripathi, the son of Raja of Sisendi — Vijay Kumar Tripathi —a six time MLA from Lucknow. A Congress candidate from his father’s seat, Ajay who is extremely fond of cricket and tennis, follows a relatively simple lifestyle.

Others on the trail include IT college alumni and Pusa Institute of Hotel Management graduate Rani Shubhrashree, the second wife of Raja Bhinga (Shravasti) Chandramani Kant Singh, who has made her election debut. “I am over fifty, have seen all, done all, now I think is the time to do something for others.”

Working ten hours at a go, Shubhrashree who is contesting on a Samajwadi ticket from Bhinga, covers fifteen to twenty villages every day. “I was always an early riser, now it is coming handy,” says Shubhrashree who practises yoga regularly. Fond of long drives and quiet holidays in the jungle, these days she lets her driver drive her to remote villages. “Once the election is over here, I will do what I like the most. I will take my mother-in-law in my Ford and drive down to Lucknow.”

Rajkumari Devina Singh, princess of Rehua estate in Bahraich , is another first timer who is contesting the Fakharpur seat. “My grandmother was an MP and grandfather was an MLA. Politics is in my blood.”

A Delhi University graduate, Devina became an active member of the Congress in 2002. Assisted by her siblings in her election campaign, the road to politics, says Devina, is not tough since the people of her estate understands her.

But it’s not a smooth ride all the way. For many, language remains a barrier. Says Rajkunwar Ratnakar Singh, an alumnus of Ajmer’s Mayo College and son-in-law of senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh: “Initially speaking in fluent Hindi was a problem.”

Doon School alumnus Vigyat Singh who is contesting the Rampur Khas (Pratapgarh) seat, is also trying to make the transition from Delhi’s high life to the rough and tumble of state politics. The SP has fielded him against veteran Congress leader Promod Tiwari. A descendant of Kalakankar estate in Pratpgarh, Vigyat is not too familiar with his constituency or with politics.
But like the other former royals, he’s not letting that come in the way of political ambition.