Entering the poll fray to bring about a change

Until Sunday, 28-year-old Ajit Babu, an entrepreneur and disability-rights activist, had not given any thought of entering the poll fray. But over the last four days, there was only thing playing on his mind — political campaigning.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had approached him to be a candidate for the Assembly elections. Now that his mind is made up to do this, he has dived into a hectic campaigning schedule with gusto; his cerebral palsy is no deterrent. Although he sometimes finds it difficult to walk owing to restricted movement of left leg and hand, his friends support him and carry him if he needs help.

Employment strategy

Though Mr. Babu lives in Bengaluru, he is the party’s choice for the Ramanagaram constituency, as he has a factory there. He also has a factory in Uttar Pradesh, and employs 43 people to run both the units. The company’s employment strategy is unique: 37 of his employees are persons with disabilities, burn victims, or those who have survived acid attacks.

He is also a motivational speaker and a startup consultant.

About his campaign, he said, people find it “weirdly exciting” when he hangs around in tea shops and talks about politics and the practical aspects of it. He has already chalked out his plans if he is elected. “My focus will be on making Ramanagaram a better planned town and improving infrastructure,” he said.

On why he decided to take the electoral plunge, he said, “I had finished my bit of criticising and complaining. And I decided it was time to do something. I am receiving such a warm welcome from the people of this town that it is overwhelming,” he said. He also said he decided to contest on the AAP ticket as he “connects best” to this political party.

AAP State convener Pruthvi Reddy said the party had decided to field Mr. Babu as he was a role model for several people and not just for those with disabilities. “He is a man of substance and we want good people to join politics and therefore decided to give him ticket,” he said.

Mr. Babu is crowdsourcing donations for his campaign.