Once in every five years, and sometimes even earlier, they are forced to leave their palatial homes and give up their royal way to seek votes from the man on the street that rarely disappoints them.
Though the rule of the royals was abolished decades ago, members of the royal clan have merged seamlessly into the democratic political system even as they continue to hold sway over their people.
More and more people from the erstwhile royal clans are coming forward to contest elections and political parties are also welcoming them with open arms.
“When a candidate comes from a royal family, there is little doubt about his success because people still hold them in high esteem,” said a senior SP leader.
It is not surprising then that the Samajwadis are confident of the success of Raja Anand Singh, from the Mankapur estate of Gonda. He will be contesting elections from Gaura and has been a four-time MP from Gonda.
The Samajwadi Party has also given a ticket to Kunwar Ujjwal Raman Singh from Allahabad, who is the son of Reoti Raman Singh. Kunwar Shivendra Pratap Singh, also a royal family member, is contesting from Siswa in Maharajganj.
The SP has fielded Raja Keshavendra Singh of Rampura estate from the Madhogarh seat in Bundelkhand. The voters of this Assembly segment are naturally elated to find the Raja in their midst.
Kunwar Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh, the erstwhile ruler of Tiloi, is contesting from his traditional Tiloi seat in Rae Bareli on a Samajwadi ticket while Kunwar Raghuraj Pratap Singh (Raja Bhaiyya) is contesting from Kunda in Pratapgarh as an Independent supported by the SP. This is Raja Bhaiyya’s fifth election and his victory is a foregone conclusion.
In Agra, it is Raja Mahendra Aridaman Singh, who is contesting on an SP ticket from the Baah Assembly seat.