Patna, June 24: The launch of "Parche Par Charcha", aimed at reaching out to people en masse in the upcoming Assembly elections, was marked by protests and agitations.
The programme has been formulated to create a mood in favour of chief minister Nitish Kumar ahead of his Yatra beginning next month.
The protest took place at Cheena Kothi locality, dominated by Dalits and Mahadalits, in Patna when JDU state president Bashishtha Narayan Singh was addressing residents and talking about the "good works" by Nitish. Around 8am, the organisers distributed four-page pamphlets titled Aage Badhta Rahe Bihar, Phir Ek Bar Nitish Kumar (May Bihar continue to develop, give another chance to Nitish Kumar).
The pamphlet lists details of work done by Nitish in the last two terms, highlighting construction of roads and bridges, good work in the education, health and agriculture sectors and different state government schemes like cycle and Poshak yojana.
When Bashishtha came to deliver his speech, residents, holding buckets in their hand, began protesting against Nitish and demanding water in their locality.
Protesting against non-availability of water, resident Rajesh Mallik (47) said: "There is no hand-pump in this area and we have to travel far to fill buckets of water. There are 400 families staying in this area and all are Dalits and Mahadalits. We do not have proper house as well. Nitish has not done any work for us but has started a new drama as polls are round the corner."
Another resident, Shanti Devi (40), said: "We won't vote for Nitish unless he provides us drinking water. We are poor people and are just asking for installation of hand-pump in this area. These people have gathered here only to make a fool of us and will do nothing after the elections."
The ward counsellor of the area, JDU member Ankur Nishad, tried his level best to convince the protestors, telling them five hand-pumps would be installed in their locality once the model code of conduct lifts. Other JDU members present at the site, too, tried to defuse the situation but the residents continued to protest.
The programme has become a matter of concern for the party, as they may face similar protests wherever it is organised. Such meetings are being organised in urban and rural areas till June 30.
JDU spokesperson and MLC Sanjay Singh, who was with Bashishtha, tried to convince protesters saying their issue would be dealt properly. But residents were adamant. Asked about it, Bashishtha said: "We will take up their issue at the right platform."
