CPI-M candidate Pema Ram’s wife sweeping the floor in front of their hut. Photo: Jupinderjit Singh
— Tribune
photo |
Mundwana (Rajasthan), December 12
Look at the picture at right. It’s a mud house with a thatched roof. The lady of the house is just one among millions in the country who collect dry grass to cook food — if they can manage it — and trek long distances for
drinking water.
Chanda Devi’s chores are set to change: she should now be able to enjoy what has been a luxury so far — a mobile phone, a proper chair to sit on and a comfortable bed to sleep in. And, may be, a fridge too.
She deserves the change.
Totally marginalised — and having to somehow educate her two school-going children — she was the foot soldier who worked day and night to ensure that her husband won the elections in Rajasthan to become an MLA.
Forty-year-old Comrade Pema Ram of the CPI-M is a rare entrant among the 200 chosen representatives of the public in the 13th Vidhan Sabha of the state. Over 60 of these are listed crorepatis and most are nothing less than lakhpatis.
CPM is delighted that Pema Ram has emerged as the true embodiment of the party’s mantra: of producing leaders from among the truly underpriviledged.
“Yes, I belong to the below-poverty line category. There is no material comfort in my house. I and my family never felt the need for it, though. I may be poor and I am used to sleeping on hungry stomach, but the blood in my veins is strong enough to take on those who oppress the poor. Public cause has been the driving force all my life,” a proud Pema told The Tribune.
Pema's victory from Dhaund constituency
where he defeated Parsram Modria, working president of the state Congress, has been a landmark for the Communists: three legislators in the House. Since 1964, when CPI took root in the state, there has never been more than one.
Senior CPI leader Asa Ram has been the lone Communist MLA so far. This time, he set a record by being elected for the fourth time running from Dantaramgara defeating Narayan Singh, a formidable candidate from the Congress.
Pawan Duggal is the other young CPI leader who has won. He suffered police torture for leading an agitation for water in Ganganagar belt of the state. He got in by over 21,000 votes from Annopgarh-Gharsana.
“Ek se Anek was our election slogan. We have proved it. We predicted we would have more MLAs this time,’’ CPI state secretary Basudev said.
“The CPI is the only party in the state which has improved its tally threefold. Neither the Congress nor the BJP can boast of such an achievement,” he chuckled.
The party is now confident it can field candidates for three Lok Sabha seats in the parliamentary elections next year — from Bikaner, Sikar and
Ganganagar.
