Bihar elections: For the first time, he voted without fear

For the first time in his life, Mehraj Sahni (75), voted today, without fear and all by himself. The area’s dominant Rajputs had always...

For the first time in his life, Mehraj Sahni (75), voted today, without fear and all by himself. The area’s dominant Rajputs had always hijacked his right. Amid heavy deployment of central forces outside Tharbitia primary school of Madhuban constituency, men and women from the deprived sections came out to vote today, and in huge numbers. For many of them, it was the first time.

‘‘Even if I have to stand the whole day, I won’t give up. I will not go back till I cast my vote,’’ said Sahni. He recalls how, during the 2004 parliamentary election, he and other villagers were driven away from the booth. It was the first time in many years that the extremely backward caste (EBCs) and Dalits of Bhagwanpur village were daring to walk to the booth.

In five booths in and around Tharbitia, the sway of local mukhiya Chhedi Singh was demolished for the first time. Although the area’s population is dominated by the weaker sections, they had been always robbed of their right by the mukhiya’s goons. Today, of course, Chhedi Singh stayed indoor, as the poor walked towards the polling stations, guarded by the central forces.

The hold of Sitaram Singh, RJD’s Rajput leader and MP, was complete in Madhuban which he had been representing for the last 15 years. Now, his son, Rana Randhir Singh, is contesting on an RJD ticket. The local mukhiya happens to be one of his many lieutenants.

	NDA has a slight edge: exit polls

	• Turnout 47% Exit polls at the end of the 3rd phase of polling in Bihar project a Hung house with slight edge for NDA In House of 243 ZEE NEWS • RJD+ 88 • JD(U)+ 112 • LJP+ 19 • Others 24 STAR NEWS • RJD+ 86 • JD(U)+ 118 • LJP+ 16 • Others 23

‘‘In the past, mukhiyaji’s men used to capture booths guarded by police. But with central forces here we are getting the opportunity to vote,’’ said Ramdev Sahni.

The story, however, was different at Tharbitia Panchayat building, located close to Cheddi Singh’s house. Dalits lined up outside the two booths but they were voting under the glare of the mukhiya’s men.

Vijay Kumar Singh, RJD agent standing outside the booth, was assured that all the Dalits were pressing only the lantern button. He had reasons to believe it.

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‘‘We have provided them land to stay and they earn their livelihood from our fields. So they cannot afford to go against us,’’ said Singh.

Fatmi arrested

PATNA: UNION Minister of State for Human Resource Development and RJD leader M A A Fatmi was arrested and booked on Sunday night for violation of the model code of conduct. He, along with his supporters, was moving around with his vehicle plastered with RJD banners and posters after the end of the campaign period. He was later released on bail, SP, Darbhanga, O N Bhaskar said.

Besides, over 130 people, including an LJP and two BSP candidates were arrested today, as elections in 57 Assembly constituencies in Bihar passed off peacefully, amidst an estimated overall turnout of 45 per cent. —PTI