Bihar, a state historically known for its corruption and lack of education, wants to change that image now. Managememt teacher and Oxford University educated Manish Barriar is all set to fight the upcoming assembly elections as an independent candidate. We caught up with the teacher-turned poltician to find out the difference between him and other polticians in the game. He will contest the polls from in Patna.
Barriar completed his schooling from his village in Nalanda and went to Indian Institute for Trade Finance after attending AN College. He even worked for a few government projects.
Barriar’s interest in politics traces back to business school where he fought elections for the student body. “I felt that Bihar needs people like me. When I went back (after completing education), it was, you can call ‘misrule of Lalu Prasad and everybody asked me not to come back. Most of the Biharis were not coming back. In hindsight, I think I took a bold step.”
“I started teaching management to students in the state. I have trained more than a lakh students and thousands have gone to IIMs, many have gone to London School of Economics and the likes. In fact, I went to Oxford after many of my students made it there,” he added.
The only Indian in his batch at Oxford where he pursued a course in Leadership management, Barriar said he has been “relearning Hindi for past 1.5 months”, thanks to his education.
Commenting on the caste equation of the state, he further said, “The current political situation is very sad. VIP Insan, RJD, JDU – every party is about one particular caste. BJP talks beyond caste but they do the same things and are no different. They never encouraged caste politics but they have been involved in social engineering. I think current set of socialists leaders like Nitish, Lalu and Sushil Kumar Modi will become old by 2025. They played an important role in social transformation -which was required then. They made political representation of all castes possible and important. But once that is done and now people want development. While Nitish has done some kind of development but Bihar is not improving enough to catch the race.”
Barriar further said. “The seat sharing is also sorry state of affairs that candidates are not even going to their people. They are simply lobbying for seats. A dog may contest elections and may even win because candidates do not reach out to people in their constituency. I think social media has helped candidates like myself.”
Even people in Patna, people face challenges in getting basic amenities – roads, colleges, schools and electricity. No good government schools are functioning here. Corruption has hampered the kind of teachers that come to govt schools and colleges.”
Appealing for votes and revealing his party is yet to register, Barriar said, “People should vote for me because I earned enough for last 17-18 years so I can take care of my family and do not need to get a return from politics. I do not belong to a political party. I am talking idealistic things but I do believe that is what I will do. Got a few thousands,crowdfunding for the polls.”
Talking about his self-proclaimed new approach, he further said, “I am actually scolding voters. If you sell your vote for a few thousand rupees and caste, how can you go back and demand amenities, roads and schools etc? I hope people understand my point.”
Askedofhe if party could go the AAP Barriar said,”I think party is a mirror of the society and AAP had people who were both bad and good. However, compared to other parties, they have done great work, at least in education sector. Especially given the troubles that they have been facing.”
Between AAP and JDU, they do not contest elections in each other’s states. There are a few problems with the party as well but I will try my best that my party does not end up being bad. Nothing can be black or white. If my party turns black, I will put an end to the party itself.
I have thought of a few rules for my party and I plan to make my party string at panchayat level. Bihar lives in villages, Patna cannot run my party.
“If I get a chance, I will improve the schools, colleges and universities. The politicians do no want the people of Bihar to get educated so they can sit and do no work, and gain votes with caste politics.”
Asked if Sushant Singh Rsjput’s death would affect the polls, he said,”Meetu Singh was my batchmate, I would not like to comment as it is now like personal matter. However,do not think elections will be affected, everyone understands that politicians have been using his death. The way Rhea Chakraborty has faced mysogynistic attitude, I am hurt. It is my personal opinion that she would not have emerged such a huge villain had she not been a woman. Maybe she is not.”