Until 2012, people from most villages in Bihar did not know what the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was all about. For six long years since its launch, people remained aloof to the 100 day right-to-work scheme.

But one day, a migrant labourer from Ratnauli Village near Muzaffarpur district learnt about the economic injustice that people in his village were being subjected to. Thirty-three-year-old Sanjay Sahani worked for eight years to help people get work under the MGNREGA.

This year, he is contesting Bihar assembly elections too. He is an independent candidate from the Kurhani assembly constituency.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.