Documents of ADATS - Book 5

Attempt by Bagepalli Coolies to Enter into Mandal Panchayats (May 1987)

A highly personalised and touching essay by Ram Esteves, dated 7 May 1987, on the heroic attempt made by the Coolies of Bagepalli taluk to contest and capture Mandal Panchayat elections &mdash their dreams, visions, thrill and exhilaration during a highly charged campaign, a child like disappointment due to their electoral naivety, and the bitter aftertaste that residues after any dirty campaign...

The essay ends with a reflection on the real place of electoral struggle in an empowerment strategy.