Janeshwar Mishra: Adopted the principles of Ram Manohar Lohia, the leader of socialism, in such a way that he became ‘Chhote Lohia’

Lucknow: If there is a discussion of socialist politics in Uttar Pradesh, then this discussion is not complete without taking the name of Janeshwar Mishra. Be it SP Patron Mulayam Singh Yadav or SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, both of them necessarily take the name of Janeshwar Mishra while speaking on socialism. Socialist leaders and activists also call Janeshwar Mishra by the name of Chhote Lohia. August 5 is the birthday of the same little Lohia, which the socialists celebrate with great pomp.

Why is Janeshwar called Chhote Lohia?
Born on 5 August 1933 in Shubh Nathhi village of Ballia, Janeshwar Mishra is counted among the big followers of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia. He was influenced by Lohia’s thoughts in his student life. After joining Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha, Mishra came in contact with Ram Manohar Lohia for the first time. According to former UP minister Narad Rai, Mishra had worked with Ram Manohar Lohia for a long time. During this time he had adopted Lohia’s ideas and his methods of working as if they were his shadow. This was the reason that once in a public meeting held in Allahabad, socialist leader Chunnu had said that Janeshwar Mishra has all the qualities of Ram Manohar Lohia and hence he is a ‘Chhote Lohia’ in a way. Since then, the name of Janeshwar Mishra became famous as Chhote Lohia.

MP from Phulpur
Chhote Lohia contested the first parliamentary election of his career in 1967. His opponent in the very first election was Vijayalakshmi Pandit, sister of Jawaharlal Nehru and Congress leader. The famous Phulpur Lok Sabha seat of Allahabad was. This challenge was very difficult for little Lohia and he also failed in it but in the year 1968 Vijayalakshmi Pandit went to the United Nations. After this a by-election was held in Phulpur and this time Mishra won. He won the election defeating KD Malviya of INC and reached the Lok Sabha for the first time. Mishra was the first non-Congress leader to win the election from Phulpur seat.

Rajnarayan also said little Lohia
In the Lok Sabha, Mishra met Rajnarayan. Rajnarayan is also counted among the big socialist leaders of the country. It is said that after reaching the Parliament, he was the first to call Janeshwar Mishra as Chhote Lohia. Later this address became his identity.

defeated VP Singh
Now it is not decided who first called Janeshwar Mishra as Chhote Lohia, but due to his simplicity and commitment to principles, people keep seeing Ram Manohar Lohia in him and people still remember him by calling him Chhote Lohia. Chhote Lohia’s popularity can be gauged from the fact that in the year 1977, he defeated Congress candidate Vishwanath Pratap Singh by a margin of 89 thousand votes. Only three years after this defeat, VP Singh first became the Chief Minister of UP and in subsequent years also took over the responsibility of the Prime Minister of the country.