It was a coincidence that while the celebs and glitterati of the country were busy enjoying the marriage of the son of Mukesh Ambani in Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi was telling the Dalits and poor of Bihar at the rally that Nar3ndra Modi government has been “working for only two-three super-rich people and neglecting Dalits and backward classes who comprise 73 per cent of the population”.

Apparently the leaders of INDIA bloc sounded the bugle for the ensuing Lok Sabha election, but in reality it asked the poor, dalit and proletariat to use the election as an device for extracting their share which Modi government has denied them. Though the left leaders, Sitaram Yechury (CPM), D Raja (CPI) and Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPIM-ML) called upon the poor and dalit to put their might in the epic battle, RJD chief Lalu Yadav and his son, Tejashvi Yadav moved a step forward and asked other people, especially the Yadavs, the major constituent of the OBC to reach out to the Dalits and proletariats and protect them and their interest. Tejashvi even sought a vow from the participants by raising their both hands.

Ostensibly it has a wider implication. Only a day earlier Narendra Modi addressing a rally at Aurangabad in Bihar had alleged that the Congress-RJD combine in Bihar had used the deprived sections as a "shield, to justify" corruption and dynastic politics. Yet another factor which prompted Lalu and Tejashvi has been the BJP’s and RSS’s accusations that Yadavs, a prominent constituent of the OBC have been perpetrating torture on the dalits and also exploiting them.

Besides it also aimed at preventing the shift of the Nitish’s Mahadalit support base to BJP. It is perceived in the political circle that in the existing scenario, the Mahadalits may rally behind Modi. Though Lalu and Tejashvi are sure of Mahadalits not going over to BJP, they do not intend to take any chance.

The development which has conjured them to reach out to the Dalits and Mahadalits, is absence of both prominent Dalit faces, Chirag Paswan, the self-proclaimed Hanuman of Modi and Jitan Ram Manjhi, at both the public meetings of Modi, one held in Begusarai and another at Aurangabad. Both are known to be opponents of Nitish. It is believed that both of the leaders would prefer to join INDIA bloc. Tejashvi taking vow from his partymen at the rally is also being seen as his move to assuage Chirag’s feelings.

What has prompted Tejashvi to reach out to Dalits in a more strenuous manner is Nitish will be away in UK for nearly a fortnight for his medical treatment. Even he referred to his illness at the rally. In his absence, the Mahadalits may find a nice caretaker in Modi. It is for allaying any such possibility, Lalu and Tejashvi have become quite proactive.

Realising the precariousness of the situation and sustained efforts of Modi and Amit Shah to present Lalu and Tejashvi as the leaders of Yadavs only, Tejashvi at the 'Jan Vishwas Rally' said, "Some people say ours is a party of MY-Muslim and Yadav. I want to say our party is of MY and BAAP-B for Bahujan, A for agda, A for aadhiaabadi (women), and P for poor..."

For obvious reasons the INDIA leaders were quite harsh towards Nitish. One thing is certain bereft of Nitish support base, B JP cannot aspire even to have double figure in 2024 polls.. While Tejashvi claimed the credit for providing 4 lakh jobs during the 17-month-period the latter occupied the deputy CM’s post, the Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge told Tejashvi “Your chacha (referring to Nitish Kumar) has done a flip-flop. He may do so again. But do not accept him henceforth.”

The most caustic attacks on Nitish came from Lalu Yadav ; “be prepared for the upcoming elections. I will be there to boost your morale as you vote to drive out Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power at the Centre”. Lalu chose the occasion to clarify, “I had not hurled any abuses at Nitish Kumar back then, only called him ‘palturam’ (turncoat). The label has stuck to his persona by virtue of his own deeds. I can see funny videos about him on social media and wonder whether these do not drive him to shame.”

In his usual rustic manner, he took jibe at Modi; “What can we do if Narendra Modi does not have a family of his own? He keeps bragging about the Ram temple. He is not even a true Hindu. In Hindu tradition, a son must get his head and beard shaved upon the demise of his parent. Modi did not do so when his mother died.”

It is often said that massive participation at a rally is not the guarantee of huge turn out of the voters in the favour of the party. But the response from the 5 lakh plus participants clearly manifested that they were not simply onlookers. People who have been witness to the 25 June 1974 rally of Jaya Prakash Narayan at this Gandhi Maidan held that the participation was certainly more this time.

This was also for the first time that green flag of the socialist (in present case RJD) fluttered along the red flag of the Marxist-Leninist. Congress flag was virtually missing. The turn out send the vibrant message that the poor and Dalits of Bihar are on march. The crowd responded with loud cheers the remarks of Rahul Gandhi; “Bihar is the ‘nerve center’ of the country’s politics. Whenever there is change in the country, it starts from Bihar only. Today there is a fight between two ideologies in the country. On one side there is hatred, violence and ego, on the other side there is love, brotherhood and respect. If you want to understand INDIA alliance then there is only one line for that. We open a ‘shop of love in the market of hatred'.”

Reminiscing his days of early nineties, Lalu reminded the audience, especially made aware the younger generation of the deep caste inequities that prevailed from the village well to the roads during those years. He said; “We gave everyone izzat”. We invoked the Mandal commission and how backward castes captured power. He said it is thanks to the commission that all poor, backward castes and Dalits are standing at the doors of power.”

It is worth mentioning that the CPI(ML) had launched class struggle in late sixties and seventies in rural Bihar, widely called as “Bhojpur Kisan movement”, with the thrust on preserving and protecting the “izzat” (prestige) of the dalits and proletariat. A number of massacres had taken place during seventies and eighties in which hundreds of dalits were killed. On this occasion the general secretary of the CPI(ML) Dipankar Bhattacharya recited the famous poem of Ram Dhari Dinkar, which was the key inspirational song of JP movement. He said that the rally would rewrite the history after 50 years. It was quite revealing to listen Dipankar mentioning the names of prominent Naxalite leaders who were killed by the mercenaries of the feudal lords

One important feature of the rally which deserves mention is the massive participation of the youths. Carrying red flags, they responded enthusiastically to the calls of the leaders to bring about a change in the politics and remove Modi.

It was expected that the INDIA bloc would announce the seats allocated to the constituents coinciding with the rally. But it has been delayed for a couple of days. Leaders of Bihar INDIA bloc are hopeful of some new parties and leaders joining the bloc. In that situation they would have to adjust them. The earnestness is visible in the leaders of constituents not in haste to force for an early decision. (IPA Service)