Bihar Election History: Subhash Vaidya from Banka. The discussion of the political life of famous socialist leader Madhu Limaye is incomplete without Banka parliamentary constituency. Madhu Limaye, resident of Pune, Maharashtra, despite being a Marathi, had reached Parliament by winning from Banka and Munger twice in a row i.e. a total of four times from Bihar. A Marathi person winning elections from Bihar four times was unique in itself. In 1973, Madhu Limaye came to Banka for the first time to contest the by-election from the Banka seat vacant due to the untimely demise of the then MP Shiv Chandika Prasad. It was a challenge for Madhu Limaye, who came into limelight through the Goa Liberation Movement, to establish his political presence in Banka. Due to his continuous activism among the public, Madhu Limaye was victorious not only in the 1973 by-elections but also in the 1977 elections.
Madhu Limaye won with huge votes in 1977
In 1977, Madhu Limaye won with a huge vote in the anti-Congress wave due to JP Movement and Emergency. In this election he defeated Chandrashekhar Singh by about 1.5 lakh votes. Madhu Limaye got 239550 votes and Chandrashekhar Singh got 78866 votes. George Fernandes was handling the reins of Madhu Limaye’s election. Later Madhu Limaye lost the 1980 elections. Referring to an incident of that period, Krishnadev Singh, associated with JP Movement, says – It was the Lok Sabha elections of 1980. Once again Madhu Limaye and Chandrashekhar Singh from Congress were face to face in the field. All of them were making election strategy along with Madhu Limaye at the house of Dhakamod-based Socialist Party leader Harishankar Sahay. George Fernandes had brought a vehicle full of material for the elections from Mumbai. It contained materials like banners, posters etc. They had also arranged for the money collected from donations. But Madhu Limaye flatly refused to take resources and money.
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George’s prediction came true
Krishnadev Singh tells that Madhu Limaye told George in clear words – ‘Whatever happens, George ji, I will not do politics of money.’ He respectfully refused to take all the goods including money. George Saheb returned with all the election material and money. While leaving, George Fernandes told the party workers – This time Madhu ji lost the election. Something similar happened. In the 1980 elections, Congress candidate Chandrashekhar Singh got 171781 votes and Madhu Limaye got 95358 votes and Madhu Limaye lost the election. After this election, Madhu Limaye in a way distanced himself from the politics of Banka. Old people tell that in the elections of 1973, 1977 and 1980, Madhu Limaye used to spread sheets and ask for donations from the public to contest the elections. However, due to Madhu Limaye winning the elections from Banka twice, Banka got fame in the country and the world.