CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar’s cavalcade was blocked by the locals in Begusarai. The protests erupted in Begusarai when Kanhaiya was carrying out his election campaign. The locals in the region blocked Kanhaiya Kumar and demanded answers to some of their questions.
#2019Elections update: In Begusarai, locals gheraoed Kanhaiya Kumar's cavalcade and asked him what kind of freedom (Azaadi) he wants. Kanhaiya is part of the JNI tukde tukde gang, and is contesting the elections on a CPI ticket from Begusarai.
— tfipost.com (@tfipost) April 17, 2019
The locals sought answers to what kind of ‘Azaadi’ is the CPI candidate demanding in his speech. Locals slammed Kanhaiya for chanting “Bharat ke tukde tukde” slogan while he was a student at JNU in 2016. In 2016, Kanhaiya Kumar faced sedition charges against his anti-India slogans after an event in JNU. The former student union president then joined the Communist Party and was chosen as the CPI(M) candidate from Begusarai.
The anger of the locals was clear when they stopped Kumar during his rally and asked him about what kind of freedom does he refer to in his speech. The video on the internet shows the locals blocking his convoy and asking him questions, to which the CPI candidate has no answer. One of the local asked, “The poor don’t want Azaadi (freedom). It is good that you wanted to become a politician but you need to give answers. Why were you opposed to reservation to economically backward class,” Kanhaiya has been criticising the central government for carrying out polarised politics and not attending to the miseries of the poor section. The CPI (M) candidate was questioned by the locals as to why has he been opposing the provision of reservations to economically backward class.
Recently, MLA from Gujarat Jignesh Mevani, was campaigning for Kanhaiya Kumar, where he faced backlash from the locals. Pictures and videos on the internet showed that the Gujarat MLA was being blocked by the locals in Begusarai.
Kumar, who has been the star candidate of the CPI(M), has faced troubles since his nomination. He has been instrumental in securing the non-participation of CPI(M) in the Mahagathbandhan. RJD had opposed the candidature of Kanhaiya Kumar. CPI(M) did not consider this suggestion of RJD, and hence, lost the opportunity of joining the Mahagathbandhan. Congress Party also rejected Kanhaiya Kumar and his inclusion in the party. The Congress party already seemed to disown him on the account of the sedition charges.
Problems for the CPI(M) candidate are increasing everyday with the locals asking him questions regarding his slogans and demands. As competition for the Communist Party is getting stronger, BJP candidate Giriraj Singh and RJD’s Tanveer Hassan are ready to destroy Kanhaiya Kumar’s dream debut.