After cycle ride protest, Betul man enters poll fray

BHOPAL

: Azad Chandrashekhar Pandole from Betul, who cycled his way to Delhi to appeal to Election Commission put curbs on the expensive campaigns by political parties for the

Lok Sabha

elections, has now thrown his hat in the poll ring.

Pandole is contesting as an Independent candidate from Bhopal and Varanasi. With his bicycle adorned with giant hand-written slogans on cardboard placards and a black flag to protest against expensive elections, he spoke to TOI on Friday, explaining his agenda and motto for contesting the elections.

“I went to New Delhi with my letter, but did not get any response from the EC. It was then that I decided to file my nomination and contest the polls to raise the voice of common men,” said Pandole.

He maintained that parties spend money of the public to campaign for elections and then use corrupt means to earn back the money, he said.

“If this continues, no party will work for public welfare. All of them are busy filling their own pockets. If the EC puts a strict check on over-expenditure during poll campaign, the public’s hard earned money will be saved,” Pandole added.

Filing nomination from two cities -- Bhopal and Varanasi -- Pandole is all set to campaign for himself on his bicycle, decorated with placards that read ‘Loktantra ka dushman, kharcheela chunav’ (

democracy

's enemy, expensive polls).

“I will file the nomination from Bhopal on Saturday and then head to Varanasi with my bicycle loaded in a train. I will file the nomination in Varanasi by April 24 and contest the elections without spending a single penny. I will ride across the two cities on my cycle and address people at tea stalls and bus stands,” he explained.

Pandole further said that instead of turning the country into a concrete jungle in the name of development, political parties should understand that forests are essential for the country's well-being and the government should create jobs for the protection of forests.