In Dombivli, it is quite possible to see a man dressed as a maavla, riding on a bullock cart, beating nagada (drum) and asking you to be careful while casting your vote.
As Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections are slated to be held in October, the candidates hopeful of getting a nomination from their political parties, are already on their way to bribe voters. To make the electorate aware of these corrupt practices and exercise their ballot carefully, a Dombivli resident has started Nagada Aandolan on September 8.
In Dombivli, it is quite possible to see a man dressed as a maavla, riding on a bullock cart, beating nagada (drum) and asking you to be careful while casting your vote. This is Rajan Mukadam, who after starting a successful campaign of getting an IAS (Indian administrative services) officer, as the municipal commissioner, has now trained his guns to have a corruption-free election process.
"As the elections are drawing near, we see hoardings of various candidates offering people free pilgrimage or picnics to voters, clean their water tanks, put up CCTVs in their areas," says Mukadam. "Through my Nagada Aandolan, I am warning people to stay away from such bribes," he says.
He adds that in the olden days, nagada was used by the king to make important announcements and even his announcements are very important in today's time, where propaganda is the kingmaker. "Before independence, Nehru came ahead to forward his propaganda, while Veer Savarkar and Balgangadhar lagged behind," he says.
These are not just two line announcements made with drum beats. He has also prepared poignant eight questions, which he asks voters to consider before voting for a particular candidate. Some of these include - do you think we should boycott those candidates offering free services before elections? Do you think before elections, these politicians offer free goodies and later turn their back on voters, once voted to power? Do you think the expenditure on free goodies, publicity, among others, should be included in the election expenditure of candidates?
Mukadam is distributing pamphlets of these eight questions among voters. But this is not going to be a one-time occurrence by him, as he is going to keep this a sustained action, till the elections are held. "I will be going around with my nagada in Dombivli East and West till the elections are held, and awaken and educate the public," Mukadam says.
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