But most voters don’t seem to mind. “We don’t mind if Masterji’s son joins politics like the sons of most other VIPs,” say a rickshaw puller.

Most locals feel that Raju’s case is different as he hails from a family known for its simplicity and honesty. “Despite Chief Minister Mulayam Singh’s support for Masterji, he never took advantage of his father’s influence,” says Mohd Hanif, a local. “People hope he will be a worthy successor to his father.”

The SP is backing the CPI(M) candidate. Pitted against Raju is old foe BSP. As lawyer Mohd Naeem puts it, “Other parties don’t have much of a chance.”

Former MLA Sheeshram, a 62-year- old veteran politician, is contesting on the BSP ticket. The RLD has fielded 72-year-old Raghunath. The BJP is banking on 44-year-old Sushila and the Congress on Kamlesh Bhuiyar.

Naeem says the CPI(M) candidate stands to gain from the sympathy factor. “Unlike the typical archetypal netaji, Masterji never flaunted gunners or vehicles. He never sought armed escorts. Nor did he own a two-wheeler, let alone a car,” he says.