Bihar polls: Political parties hire theatre artist to woo voters

PATNA: Theatre artistes hired by parties to mobilize support during the Bihar polls are adding spice and colour to the high-voltage campaign playing out in the state.

They're staging plays titled: 'Suitboot ki sarkar', 'Modi Package for Bihar', 'Jungle Raj', 'Mahadalit Ka Apmaan' and 'Badh chala Bihar', to name a few.

Two weeks ago, Lalu Prasad called a group of actors home and watched a play promoting secularism. 'No, no. Focus on a strong counter to BJP's jungle raj allegations.

The message should be, it'd be mangal raj (good governance) if our secular alliance comes to power,' an artiste quoted the RJD chief. Another group staged a play in Patna sponsored by Congress that was titled 'Suit-boot ki sarkar', a theme considered close to Rahul Gandhi's heart. Theatre artiste Hiralal Roy, associated with Patna's Premchandra Rangshala, said almost all parties have drafted troupes.

"I supervised the demo of a play for former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi. He asked us to focus on his unceremonious ouster from power. Another theatre personality, Manish Mahiwal, said his troupe was in talks with BJP. "The party wants to trumpet through plays PM Modi's Bihar package," he said. The cost of staging a 15 to 20-minute play four times a day ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, depending on the number of actors, Mahiwal said.