THUNDER IN THE EAST
THE WEEK India|May 26, 2024
The BJP and regional parties are waging bitter battles in eastern India. The future of three longest-serving chief ministers of India is also at stake
PRATUL SHARMA
THUNDER IN THE EAST

Shambhavi Chaudhary may well be a subject for her own doctoral research— the intersection of caste and gender in Bihar politics. As the youngest candidate in the 2024 elections, the 25-year-old gets to pursue her “dream” of entering the Lok Sabha, something her father and grandfather failed to realise as they both had lost the parliamentary elections they fought. Shambhavi, who is contesting from the Samastipur constituency on the Lok Janshakti Party ticket for the National Democratic Alliance, attracted nationwide attention when Prime Minister Narendra Modi showered praise on her, calling her the “youngest dalit, woman candidate” in the country.

Shambhavi comes from a privileged background. Her father, Ashok Chaudhary, is a Janata Dal (United) leader and minister in the Nitish Kumar cabinet. Her grandfather Mahavir Chaudhary was a Congress minister in the state. She studied at Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi and Delhi School of Economics and is married to the son of a retired IPS officer, Kunal Kishore. Kishore was known for pushing for dalit priests in temples, although he was from an upper caste family. The story gets curiouser as Shambhavi’s main challenger is Sunny Hazari of the Congress, also a third generation politician. His father, Maheshwar Hazari, too, is from the JD(U) and serves as a minister in the Nitish Kumar government. And father and grandfather were in the Lok Sabha.

This story is from the May 26, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 26, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE WEEK INDIAView All
Crowning Glory
THE WEEK India

Crowning Glory

Kohli had to be Kohli to help India win the final

time-read
4 mins  |
July 14, 2024
Are Fish Oil Supplements Good For The Heart?
THE WEEK India

Are Fish Oil Supplements Good For The Heart?

A new study that assessed the benefits of fish oil supplements has yielded mixed results.

time-read
1 min  |
July 07, 2024
Ah, Class Act!
THE WEEK India

Ah, Class Act!

Grace, power and clarity-Rohit Sharma's qualities make him, to borrow a Mumbai cricket term, the quintessential valli' player

time-read
10 mins  |
July 14, 2024
Fear and the fearless pose
THE WEEK India

Fear and the fearless pose

#FerozKhanKaPota was trending on X; so, naturally, I thought Fardeen Khan’s son was making his Bollywood debut.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 14, 2024
Mumbo jumbo in the Maldives
THE WEEK India

Mumbo jumbo in the Maldives

Political folklorists say, there’s a charmed circle around every powerful person.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 14, 2024
Back to battle
THE WEEK India

Back to battle

While BJP has the edge in the assembly bypolls, the Trinamool hopes to ride the momentum from the Lok Sabha elections and keep the four seats

time-read
4 mins  |
July 14, 2024
TWO OF A KIND
THE WEEK India

TWO OF A KIND

As Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar try to get the better of each other, Karnataka Congress is a divided house

time-read
6 mins  |
July 14, 2024
Broom and bust
THE WEEK India

Broom and bust

Beset by legal woes, political setbacks and a leadership vacuum, the AAP faces a credibility crisis

time-read
6 mins  |
July 14, 2024
Pants on Fire!
THE WEEK India

Pants on Fire!

The recent presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was a sorry spectacle that ended with two old men being childish about their golf handicaps.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 14, 2024
NO COUNTRY FOR LOVE
THE WEEK India

NO COUNTRY FOR LOVE

Roshan Mathew decided to act in Paradise after a five-hour conversation with its director

time-read
2 mins  |
July 14, 2024