Bhopal gas victims hit election campaign trail for 'non-candidate'

Bhopal gas tragedy survivors, along with five non-government organisations (NGOs), have intensified their election campaign in support of a "non-candidate", or NOTA (none of the above) option, on the lines of campaigns for actual candidates.

The survivors are taking out rallies and have launched a door-to-door campaign. They are to soon organise public meetings as well.

Holding placards, banners and posters, the survivors and NGOs takes out rallies each day in affected areas.

Carrying flags which read, "Vote for NOTA, Last Decision of Bhopal Victims," they took out a rally in the Bhopal Uttar constituency, where the majority of the voters are either gas victims or their children.

Poisonous gas leaked from a unit of Union Carbide India Limited in December 1984, leaving several dead and hundreds permanently impaired.

"We had informed the government, including the the chief minister, and all other authorities. They have failed to address our problems; now we are campaigning for NOTA," said Rashida Bee of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationary Karamchari Sangh.

Five NGOs working in the interest of survivors of the disaster have launched the campaign to educate gas-affected voters in the city about the NOTA option, which allows a voter to reject all candidates in the forthcoming assembly elections. "This will also percolate among other voters," said a political observer.

"We have received overwhelming support even from unknown passers-by, who may have flocked into the city from nearby towns; they, too, have expressed their support to for the 'non-candidate,'" said Rachna Dhingra, chief activist of Bhopal Group for Information and Action.