This chai wala wants to ‘torch’ the ‘thieves’

Chandigarh: In Sector 24, amid the smell of freshly brewed tea and the buzz of neighbourhood gossip, stands Vinod Kumar—a 50-year-old tea stall owner, who is throwing his hat into the ring for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate.Despite having no high-profile campaign strategy, Kumar, who chose the torch as his election symbol, confidently said, "Torch ki light se sab chor bhaag jaayenge--The light of the torch will drive away all the thieves.”While many might assume Kumar draws inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, another tea-seller-turned-politician, he clarifies, "That is not at all what motivated me. I see what has been happening. My motivation stems from a desire to improve the living conditions of the underprivileged."He has been a resident of the Sector 25 colony for the past 30-40 years. Despite only completing up to the fifth grade in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, he has promised free education and free bus rides for women in his campaign posters. His posters deliver promises, including a decrease in water and electricity prices among other benefits, for the underprivileged.Kumar appears to be one of the poorest candidates in the race, having declared his immovable assets as NIL and movable assets amounting to just Rs 26,603.Financially constrained, Kumar solicited funds from their family for his security deposit. His daily routine involves dedicating a few hours in the morning to campaigning before returning to his tea stall in Sector 24. In the evening, he resumes his door-to-door outreach in various colonies."I do not know social media or anything. I ask the people who come to my stall or my companions, and based on their suggestions, I do what I can for posters and campaigning," Kumar explained.Travelling in Alto with a gunmanLikewise, Pushpinder Singh, alias Lovely Attawa, a 47-year-old independent candidate from the city, lives in the village of Attawa and earns his living by managing his mother's rental property. At the time of the affidavit filing, he had only Rs 200 cash in hand and unlike every time, decided not to give any discount renters, full two months rent. Every day, he moves around on an Alto with his lone gunman, riding a pillion provided by the Election Commission of India. “I took a loan of Rs 20,000 for printing the pamphlets and have given out 42,000 pamphlets so far single-handedly on foot." He aims to serve the people rather than personal gains.'Want welfare of locals'Although candidates contesting the election as independent have always lost their security deposits worth Rs 25000, most of the 12 individuals are contesting just to make a loud statement that they are fed up with the authorities, and want the welfare of locals in real.Among other independent candidates is Piar Chand, 47, a district court advocate and resident of Sector 22. "I stand for addressing local issues, noting the unaddressed problems faced by common people, bring employment. I aim to enhance education and other private sectors, including healthcare."Mahant Ravi Kant Muni, a 46-year-old preacher from a temple in Patiala, relies on the support of sevaks (volunteers) and followers for his campaign. With an income derived from donations, Ravi Kant Muni aims to safeguard Punjabi Hindus and advocate for the development of certain regions in Punjab.