After 72 poll losses, UP farmer hopes to change his record

AGRA: Seventy years of life and 72 electoral losses have not dampened Hasnu Ram Ambedkari's spirit. A farmer by profession, Ambedkari will be contesting this Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate from Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. Hailing from Ram Nagar village of Kheragarh Tehsil, Agra, Hasnu is the most interesting oddball in Brij region and perhaps in Uttar Pradesh.

Ambedkari, who has fought assembly and parliamentary elections among others, aims to change the future of his village after being elected. Kicking-off his campaign in traditional style, Ambedkari is sending letters to each house of his village and nearby areas, requesting people to vote for him.

Born as Hasnu Ram, he was awarded the "Ambedkari" title by the villagers for his in-depth knowledge of the Indian Constitution. Even though he has studied up till standard VI, his general awareness and command over a host of topics is commendable. However, a loss in 2004 Lok Sabha polls left Ambedkari poor and he will be contesting this elections with the help of donations collected by his family members and friends.

Considering BJP's sitting MP Ram Shankar Katheria as his biggest competitor, Ambedkari has urged people not to vote for a man who does not know the name of the Lok Sabha speaker.

"Katheria was unable to name the Lok Sabha speaker in an interview. I was very sad during last elections not because I lost but because Ram Shankar Katheria won by the highest number of votes. How can we expect a change if such people are voted to power," he said.

Ambedkari first entered the poll arena by contesting from Agra and Fatehpur Sikri region which is now divided into Firozabad. He first fought against Shree Bahadur Singh and since then he has crossed swords with several political heavyweights including Mandaleshwar Singh, Babulal and others.

"I will contest till my last breath as I want to bring about a change in India and in my village which is one of the most neglected areas of UP," said Ambedkari.

Neeraj Singh, a teacher in Ram Nagar primary school and a very close friend of Ambedkari, said that he really wants Ambedkari to win as he represents an Indian farmer and a common man. "People are talking about Modi's and Mulayam Singh's act of contesting from two constituencies but Hasnu is doing the same since he started his political career. It's up to the people to decide whether they want to make outsiders their representative or chose a man amongst them," he said.