Jalna: India’s electoral ground is where many celebrities, includingfilm stars and businessmen, have contested and won and lost. Indian electoral politics has given the sweet taste of victory to many who are not full-time political activists. Some have been left out altogether. Babasaheb Shinde from Bapkal in Jalna district of Maharashtra has a story to tell of contesting and losing elections since 1980.
Shinde wanted to become MLA and MP through democratic means. In 1980, Shinde contested as an independent candidate from the Badnapur Assembly constituency. But failed. A firm believer in democracy, Shinde has contested 14 assembly elections and 9 Lok Sabha elections so far. He invested his entire savings in the elections. But could not win any election.
But Shinde has not given up hope. He has now entered the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with renewed vigor and strength. The tenth nomination paper for the Lok Sabha elections is going to be submitted this time. Babasaheb Shinde told ETV Bharat that his only intention is that the rights given by democracy should reach the citizens at all levels.
‘I entered politics for the opportunity to serve the citizens. In 1978, when I was studying, I got an offer from a party. But I didn’t accept it. I sold my 50 acres of land for this politics. I left my relatives and friends. Now I have no land. But I am going to contest in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.’ He said.
My manifesto is how the last person in this country can get the rights and justice stipulated by the constitution from us. No one got their right after independence. The government will show one thing and do another. The government issues fake certificates and citizens are silenced. On the one hand, the government sends a probe to the moon. On the other hand people sleep with half empty stomach. Babasaheb Shinde added that this is a tragedy.
