Gokhula village resident Congress Prasad shows the tattoo on his hand bearing his name. Picture by Ajit Kumar Verma

Motihari, Aug. 31: His parents named him after the oldest political party in the country when he was born in 1947, thinking it would bring a lifelong glory to their son.

Today, for 65-year-old Congress Prasad, his first name has become his biggest nightmare, as the party he has served for so many decades has not been of any help to him.

He did try to switch over to other political parties a couple of time but his name proved to be a hindrance.

“I do not understand whom to blame for my present situation, today’s political scenario or my parents who named me Congress,” Prasad, a resident of Gokhula village under East Siswa panchayat of Banjariya block in East Champaran district, told The Telegraph.

He said he was happy throughout his childhood that his parents named him after the oldest political party in India.

His initial years, he believed that the nation would attain new heights under the Congress, who helped India gain independence.

“When I grew up a little and started reading and writing, people made me understand the importance of my name. I was proud that my parents named me so,” Prasad said.

“Today I am embarrassed that I have such a name,” he said.

Elder of two siblings, Prasad could not study beyond Class VIII because of financial constraints. Prasad became a marginal peasant and got married in 1962.

He has two sons, who work as factory labourers in the state.

“I refused two government services — one in the minor irrigation department and other in the Gandak project — just because of my privileged name. But my lifelong dedication for the Congress has failed to yield anything,” Prasad said.

“Since the early 70s there were a number of occasions when I was closely associated with a number of leaders of the district as well as the state. However, once the elections were over, no one except former MLA of the district Suresh Kumar Mishra, recognised me,” he said.

He compared his present condition with that of Dev Anand’s in Guide.

“My unusual name prevented me from joining any other party, as they considered me as a spy of the Congress. Earlier, those who showed some regard for me, now look at me with hatred,” he said, with tears in his eyes.

“The Congress, which was considered as a symbol of glory and glamour has lost its old identity and has become synonymous with dishonesty,” Prasad said.

On the recent Anna Hazare campaign, Prasad’s uncle Ram Ekbal Prasad, 74, a retired government servant, said: “For its wrong stand towards Anna’s crusade against corruption, the Congress party has suffered a major humiliation before the nation.”

Munna Prasad Yadav, a villager, told The Telegraph: “Earlier, Congress Prasad was a respectable figure in the village. But with the passage of time he has been reduced to an object of ridicule, especially as the news of scams keep coming in.”