"My sahab has been wrongly implicated in false cases," Heena Shahab tells rediff.com in the only conversation she is known to have had with a journalist. "He has been in prison for 5, 6 years because of which the development work started by him has come to a halt."
"I have remained in purdah all my life and have come out of my house to fight this election because I was compelled by the demand of the people," she adds.
At the local RJD office in the town's Babuniya Road, Shahabuddin's supporters are organising the campaign -- Sanjay Dutt's first appearance in Siwan that afternoon being the highpoint of the day.
The stage was being set and the provisions for landing the helicopter were being seen to for the actor's meeting at 2 pm, in the grueling heat.
Image: There is a proper road to Siwan, unlike many parts of Bihar which lack good roads. Photographs: Seema Pant.
Also see: In controversial Siwan, women run election call centre | India Votes 2009
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