New Delhi: He loved contesting elections. So much so that it almost became an obsession.
Having fought various elections more than 260 times over seven decades, Nagarmal Bajoria, popularly known as ‘Dhartipakad’, passed away at the age of 97 in Patna.
The last rites of the man who became a familiar figure in Indian elections will be performed at Barari cremation ground, on the banks of Ganga in his hometown Bhagalpur.
Born in 1930 in Lahore, in undivided India, Bajoria and his family migrated to Bhagalpur before Independence. He became a businessman, but he carved a niche by displaying the commitment to fight every election at all levels.
He lost more often than not, but that did not deter him from fighting polls.
According to his grandson Saurav Bajoria, ‘Dhartipakad’ did not contest elections just with the expectation of winning. “He contested to open eyes of voters,” Saurav pointed out. He added that his grandfather wanted to show that an ordinary citizen could also feature in the country’s biggest democratic contests.
In one of his rare electoral successes, ‘Dhartipakad’ won the Bhagalpur municipal election in 1960, at the age of 30.
Over the years, the ‘marathon man’ contested against some of the biggest political leaders, including Indira Gandhi from Raebareli, Rajiv Gandhi from Amethi, Sanjay Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani and Pranab Mukherjee.
In 1969, he even filed his nomination for the 1969 Presidential election, contesting against VV Giri.
The last time he contested was in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. At the ripe age of 90, he filed nominations from three constituencies — Old Delhi, Raibareli and Patna Sahib.
He could barely walk and talk, as he suffered from age-related memory loss and other ailments, Yet, ‘Dhartipakad’ campaigned in a Maruti van in the three constituencies.
Campaign with donkeys
In one of his most memorable election campaigns, he organised a rally featuring donkeys in 2005.
Placards carrying anti-corruption slogans were hung around the necks of donkeys, drawing the attention of everywhere he went.
He had a distinctive style of campaigning, and was often seen wearing a vintage wristwatch reminiscent of the Gandhi era and carrying a hand bell. He would ring the bell while speaking to people about democratic values and urging them to remain politically aware.
Dhartipakad was also involved in social work, and helped people from economically weaker families.
He offered financial assistance for marriages of girls from poor families, according to his family. He had hand pumps installed in areas facing drinking-water shortage.
