As her name was announced, she stepped up to the podium, joined a file of new entrants and was welcomed by SSP chairman Ashok Rai. When this scribe enquired about political parties with Ranjita, who is a ninth grader, she could hardly name even the party she just joined. It was obvious that she was taken to the gathering by local leaders as the school has been shut for the Dashain festival. [break]
Similarly, Gita Kumari Yadav, a grade one student, was another entrant to SSP. Upon being asked why the leaders had garlanded her and smeared her face with vermilion powder, Gita had no answers. “I don´t know why I was garlanded,” said Gita, who had come to the gathering along with her friends Ashakumari Yadav, Rinku Yadav, Sita Devi Yadav, to join in the party.
As per the existing laws, use of children in election campaign and rallies is strictly prohibited. However, SSP inducted many children to the party in defiance of the laws.
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