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Journalism of Courage
The Congress, which has joined hands with Laloo Prasad Yadav’s RJD for the Bihar polls, has for the first time openly mentioned the caste of each of its candidates—from ‘‘Dhobi’’ to ‘‘Chamar’’ to ‘‘SC-Mushahr’’—in the first list of 42 names released, and signed, by party general secretary Ambika Soni. In the case of Muslim candidates, the community has been clearly spelt out.
This has created a flutter in political circles because even ally RJD, which is accused of practising caste politics, never resorted to such a practice while releasing the list of candidates.
Asked to comment, Bihar Congress leaders ran for cover. ‘‘A mistake has been committed. The list with castes should not have been released to the press,’’ said Bihar Congress president Sadanand Singh. Party spokesperson H K Verma said ‘‘this had never happened in the past, leaders in Delhi should have checked it.’’
According to the list, Muslims have 10 seats. The caste break-up for the remaining 32 is: Bhumihar (8); Brahmin (4); Rajput (4); SC-Chamar (3); Yadav (3); SC-Dhobi (2); SC-Paswan (2); OBC-Kurmi (2); one each for Kayastha, SC-Mushahr, OBC-Bania, SC-Passi.
The Congress list also has names which shows how desperate it is to pick up seats. Aruna Devi, wife of strongman Akhilesh Singh who’s in jail, has been fielded from Warsaliganj in Nawada. She won the last election on a LJP ticket.
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