Madhusudan_Das

His Life and Achievements: 93
After his departure from Patna I stayed on, everyone treated me
as usual and I decided to stay on there and make myself useful in
doing various public work. I was still called the Minister's, daughter,
though I did not care for that position and honour. I loved doing work
and found plenty to occupy myself, as I shall narrate hereafter. 1 came
more in contact with the people and officials than I did as a Minister's
daughter.
ELECTION PETITION CASE
This was a case in which I was personally interested as I filed an
election petition to set aside the election of my friend Sayed
Mohammad Hafiz M.A., B.L. He and I both contested the University
seat at the Legislative Council at Patna. I had great excitement
contesting this election and enjoyed it thoroughly. I found amongst the
Biharis there was no question of creed, caste and nationality or sex.
Neither do they suffer from inferiority complex. The voters gave me
every encouragement to stand for the election. Even three
Mohammadan voters who were friends of Mr. Hafiz gave me their
votes, it was unique but such was my position in Patna that everyone
was kind to me and encouraged me to do more work. At the time of
counting of the votes I found I was defeated by one vote. I was
staggered, as I knew I would get more votes than my rival. Ten or
twelve of my votes were not counted as they did not comply with the
election rule. 1 found that 3 of my voting papers which I personally
registered were not amongst the voting papers, they did not arrive from
the post. It was the mistake of the returning officer which made me lose
those three votes. I studied the law book and found that I had good
ground for filing a petition. I went to a senior lawyer and also to Mr.
P.R.Das, Barrister, and consulted them. Every one thought I had a good
case. I deposited Rs. 1,000 and filed an election petition to set aside the
election. I came to Cuttack and discussed with my father about my case.
He asked me not to file the election case as I might have further
disappointment. But I am a person who when once makes up her mind
and thinks she is in the right nothing could make her give it up. I did
not follow my father's advice. The great day dawned. A special
Tribunal was appointed to try my case. I had five lawyers for my case
but none of them would accept money from me as it was the first
election petition field by a woman in India. And it was not a dirty case.