People's Democracy

THE Mumbai tour of Dr. (Capt.) Lakshmi Sahgal, presidential candidate of the Left, democratic and secular forces, was a resounding success not only in terms of receiving enthusiastic response from the cadres and sympathisers but also in terms of the wide coverage it attracted in the media.

Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal arrived at Santacruz Mumbai airport, directly from Thiruvananthapuram, on July 9. Large number of activists and supporters belonging to the Left parties, JD(S), Peasants and Workers Party assembled at the airport and gave her a rousing reception. Women contingent was also fairly large. Electronic and print media representatives also turned out in large numbers to cover her arrival. She spent the evening of July 9 giving interviews to various TV channels and print media reporters.

Capt. Lakshmi’s common theme in these interviews was: "I am merely a symbol. I am contesting presidential elections on behalf of the Left, democratic and secular forces. They have fielded me in this historic contest. They are the real forces, who are engaged in the fierce struggle against exploitation of the poor, for self reliance, social justice, defence of secularism and national unity, upholding constitution, preserving world peace and against imperialist penetration. These are precisely the issues I am fighting for, and shall continue to fight for, till my last breath".

On the evening of July 10, a meeting was organised by the CPI(M), CPI, JD(S), PWP, RPI– Bahujan Mahasangh (Prakash Ambedkar) to accord public reception to the INA heroine. This was held at the K C College Hall, Churchgate in South Mumbai. The hall was jam-packed and overflowing with people belonging to different strata of society. Among those who attended were eminent persons from different fields of human endeavour.

While the meeting was presided over by Professor N D Patil, general secretary of PWP, Mahendra Singh, secretary of CPI(M) Mumbai committee welcomed the gathering and noted classical singer, Neela Bhagawat rendered songs in support of secularism. Apart from Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal, those who spoke included CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) state secretary Prabhakar Sanzgiri, CPI(M) Central Committee member, Ahilya Rangnekar, JD(S) state president, Shreepati Shinde, CPI state joint secretary, Dr Kango, former chief of Indian Navy, Vishnu Bhagwat, retired judge of Mumbai High Court, S M Dawood.

Earlier Capt. Lakshmi met with the leaders of supporting parties and MPs, MLAs belonging to these parties. She also addressed a ‘meet the press’ programme, organised by the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh.

Angered by Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal’s ridiculing of Savarkar and Vajpayee for apologising to the British and deserting the freedom struggle in her interviews with media, which were published prominently, a group of activisits belonging to BJP, ABVP and other Sangh Parivar organisations attempted to obstruct her car to secure an apology from her. This mean attempt was foiled by the CPI(M) activists promptly by resorting to appropriate counter-action. They also silenced the slogan shouting goons by raising counter slogans. Ultimately the police obliged the goons by arresting them.

Responding to this attack, Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal in a soldier-like manner, said "I firmly stand by my statement. It is based on facts and there is no question of my retracing it. I have fought the British and I will not be cowed down by the demonstrations of communalists."

At the beginning of the ‘meet the press’ programme, Sitaram Yechury explained the significance of the presidential elections and the circumstances leading to the fielding of Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal as a nominee of the Left, democratic and secular parties. Capt. Lakshmi explained to the reporters the issues, she was fighting for in the presidential election.