Amritsar: Independent candidate seeks vote on 'clean' image

Independent candidate and social activist Shamlal 'Gandhiwadi', who is in fray along with BJP and Congress stalwarts from Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, is not deterred by competition and instead derives strength from Mahatma Gandhi's ideals which he propagates while campaigning.
The 32-year-old social activist says though he is fighting an election, pitted against senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley and former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress candidate Capt. Amarinder Singh, his primary aim remains to spread awareness about Mahatma Gandhi's teachings of non-violence and simple living.
"Over the years people have forgotten the ideas of Gandhi, assuming that they are no longer relevant in the present day. However, we still witness communal issues and there is a need to understand the importance of non-violence and peace," says 'Gandhiwadi', who earns his livelihood doing petty jobs.

He is the youngest in fray among 23 candidates from Amritsar constituency.
'Gandhiwadi' goes out for door-to-door campaigning on his bicycle sporting a Gandhi cap, wearing white spotless dhoti and a cotton shirt, to seek votes for his clean credentials besides propagating the message of non-violence and communal harmony.
"These days fighting elections have became a rich man's game. See how much money main political parties are spending. Even some candidates are spending heavily just on building their image. This money could have been used for the benefit of poor," he said.

"If one could understand the simple ideas propagated by Gandhi ji like the need to adopt simple living and staying away from social evils, the world would be a much better place to live in," the Gandhian added.

Provided with two security guards for the election who follow him on foot every where he goes for campaigning, 'Gandhiwadi' claims development on the ground has not taken place.
"For common people, where is the development? Prices of basic commodities are beyond reach, dream to own a small house is still far off for a large chunk of population, poverty, unemployment and ills like corruption are still rampant," the social activist claims.
Having unsuccessfully contested the 2009 Lok Sabha polls from Amritsar, he still feels he has a chance as people are looking for a change and they want to elect a representative with a clean image and one who remains always available and accessible.

Meanwhile, a shopkeeper by profession, Samajwadi Party's Yusuf Mohammed (34), like 'Gandhiwadi' uses a bicycle for campaigning as he has been fielded by his party from here.
During his campaigning, the matriculate emphasised that candidates fielded by the Congress and BJP are 'outsiders'.
"Big leaders have been fielded by main parties (Cong and BJP) this time. They are outsiders and once the polls are over they will rarely be seen in the constituency whereas Amritsar is my home and I am here amongst you, through thick and thin," Yusuf claimed, adding "they come in swanky cars, seek votes with folded hands and once elected they forget you".