Victory or defeat does not matter to K Shyambabu Subudhi

Undeterred by crushing defeat, he jumps into the fray every time as victory or defeat does not matter for K Shyambabu Subudhi.

Contesting elections is only his hobby. Dubbed as "King Robert Bruce" of Odisha politics, Subudhi is not disheartened after losing as many as 29 elections and decided to contest from two Lok Sabha seats - Aska and Berhampur in Ganjam district.

This never-say-die Independent candidate says he has set a target for him to contest more elections than any others to set a record. Taking part in election is his first passion keeping aside the victory or defeat.

"When I contest I certainly hope to win and one day the people will elect me," said 84-year-old Subudhi, who has been contesting elections since 1957.

A homeopath by profession, Subudhi lost his deposits in all the 19 Lok Sabha and 10 assembly elections he fought and says his effort was to reform the electoral process.

"I will contest till my last breath. I want to reform the election process and free it from money and muscle powers," he added. Many people are keen to contest elections, but are unable to come forward for want of money and muscle powers, he stated.

Having fought his first electoral battle with former minister and a stalwart Brundaban Nayak from Hinjili assembly segment in 1957, Subudhi crossed swords with several political heavy weights including the former prime minister P V Narsimha Rao, former chief ministers Biju Patnaik, J B Patnaik, chief minister Naveen Patnaik, former union ministers Ram Chandra Rath and Chandra Sekhar Sahu.

Besides Aska and Berhampur Lok Sabha constituencies, he had also contested in Aska, Kabisuraya Nagar, Hinjili, Berhampur assembly segments in the past. He also locked horns with former chief minister JB Patnaik in Begunia assembly constituency in a by-election.

Subudhi's style of electioneering is simple. Without any vehicle or cutouts and clad in coat, Subudhi rides a cycle and distributes leaflets during the campaigning.

When he halts in a crowded area, local people gather around him and prompt him to deliver a speech. Holding a cricket bat, which is his election symbol, he campaigns.

"Besides the election season, it is also the IPL cricket match season. Youths are now interested in cricket. As my symbol in cricket bat, they may get attracted," he hoped.

"I am also travel by trains and buses to campaign in distant areas," he said.

Even before the declaration of the poll schedule, Subudhi had started campaign. "I have already covered many areas in both the Lok Sabha constituencies," he said.

While Berhampur will go go polls in the first phase on April 11, voting in Aska will be held in the second phase on April 18.

Subudhi said he collects money from the public and people give spontaneously to enable him to contest the elections.