Comrade Om Prakash’s ‘casteless’ campaign in Bhiwani gains traction
At 5 ft 11 inches tall, Comrade Om Prakash stands out in a crowd, sporting both the Congress and CPM mufflers around his neck.
A champion of people, Om Prakash has advocated for employees, MGNREGA workers, and those in the mining sector, courting multiple arrests.
Contesting from Bhiwani as part of the INDIA bloc, he says, “We chose this seat because we have a stronger organisation here.” In an era where parties are often focused on caste arithmetic when selecting candidates, he asserts, “I don’t have a caste; I am casteless. My credentials come from leading people’s movements.”
Om Prakash took voluntary retirement from his position as chief manager at UCO Bank in 2014, with six years of service remaining. During the farmers’ protest in Haryana — from 2020 to 2021 — he played a key role in closing the Kitlana toll plaza and hosted a public meeting with BKU leader Rakesh Tikait. A champion of people, he has advocated for employees, MGNREGA workers, and those in the mining sector, leading to multiple arrests.
“After the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002, Muslim shops were burned in Loharu. We collected donations for them,” he recalls.
As the campaigning is reaching its crescendo, his graph seems to be rising in popularity. “We are not contesting just to make a presence; we are fighting to win this seat. The Congress is supporting us. Raj Babbar is holding a roadshow today,” he adds, as he completes door-to-door campaigning in Krishna Colony. His supporters anticipate public meetings featuring other prominent Congress leaders, despite the party’s previous struggles.
In the 2019 Assembly poll, the CPM had contested seven seats, but lost deposit in all, garnering just 0.07 per cent of the votes — less than NOTA. In 2014, it contested 17 seats and received 0.13 per cent, again trailing behind NOTA.
Meanwhile, party workers from across the state have flocked to Bhiwani to bolster Om Prakash’s campaign. At his office in Mangej Bhawan, flags of both Congress and CPM wave alongside a portrait of martyr Bhagat Singh. His supporters chant “Inquilab Zindabad” to greet him as he makes a point to shake hands with everyone.
Regarding his rival, BJP’s Ghanshyam Saraf, a three-time MLA, Om Prakash claims, “He never understands people’s problems. There was a multi-crore scam in the Bhiwani Municipal Council; the case is with the CBI now, and he couldn’t stop it. Furthermore, he is backing land-grabbers.”
“Addressing clean drinking water and improving the sewerage and drainage systems are on our agenda. The poor law and order situation is a significant issue here, with businessmen receiving extortion calls. Discontent against the BJP is brewing. They may have replaced Khattar, but they’ve brought in his disciple Nayab Singh Saini, which makes no difference,” he continues.
At a meeting in Sewa Nagar, organised by the local hockey association, he asserts, “People used to tell me to join the BJP or Congress to become an MLA, asking, ‘What’s in laal jhanda?’ But I have not come here to earn a living or accumulate property. I left my government job to serve people. I have never considered their caste when leading their protests.”
Despite Om Prakash’s claims, voters appear divided along caste lines. Sonu Jangra, a shop owner at Nauragabad village, says, “Jats are not voting for the BJP. Brahmins prefer Indu Sharma (AAP candidate), Rajputs will support Abhijeet Singh, and Sainis will vote for the BJP.” Saraf dismisses Om Prakash, asserting, “I don’t see any competition. People are aware of the CPM. Their government in West Bengal forced industries to shut down.”
I am casteless
I don’t have a caste; I am casteless. My credentials come from leading people’s movements. — Comrade Om Prakash, CPM candidate
