Kerala-Based Bihar Migrants Travel Home to Cast Votes in Democracy’s Celebration

Workers from Kerala will go to Bihar to vote: Migrant workers from Bihar working in Kerala return home every year for Diwali and Chhath Puja. But this time, many are returning not just to celebrate the festival but also to participate in the festival of democracy.

A laborer from Aurangabad district, who lives in Aluva with his family, said on condition of anonymity that he would go home to cast his vote next week. He said that he is in support of BJP and wants the party to come to power alone. "I am a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bihar remained full of corruption under the rule of JDU and RJD. I think it will end only when BJP comes to power completely," he said.

Many workers are also expressing their desire to hide the identity of their vote, because they are not able to express their opinion openly due to fear of consequences.

Large numbers of migrant workers expected to return

According to Binay Peter, co-founder of the Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID), migrant workers from Bihar in Kerala mostly work in heavy and medium-sized industries. Usually these laborers return home during Chhath Puja, but this time a large number of people are expected to return to cast their votes.