Reformed Maoist among poorest LS candidates
Satyanarayan Pattnaik | TNN | Apr 8, 2019, 04:53 IST
Koraput: Once a Maoist sympathiser who laid down his arms in 2013 with a desire to return to the mainstream, Rajendra Kendruka is among the seven contestants in poll fray for the Koraput Lok Sabha (ST) seat in Odisha.
A resident of Chintaguda village under Kumbhari panchayat in Maoist-dominated Narayanpatna block in the district, the 27-year-old Rajendra is contesting the election on a CPI-ML (red star) ticket.
Pitted against Jarayam Pangi of BJP with a net worth of Rs 2 crore, Kausalya Hikaka of BJD with Rs 88.7 lakh and Saptagiri Ulaka of Congress with Rs 3.5 crore, Rajendra is the second poorest candidate of the country in the first phase with Rs 500 cash in hand and Rs 65 in bank account. Telangana’s Nalla Prem Kumar from Prem Janata Dal is the poorest candidate with just Rs 500.
Though the Koraput LS seat is set to witness a triangular contest between Congress, BJD and BJP, Rajendra is leaving no stone unturned to register an impressive performance.
“It was my party’s decision that I contest for the Koraput LS seat. I readily agreed since I am a disciplined party worker and have been fighting for the tribals,” Kendruka said when TOI caught up with him at Narayanpatna haat (weekly market) on Sunday where he was campaigning.
Asked as to how he manages electioneering against such rich candidates, Rajendra said, “I move from place to place in buses and go campaigning from door-to-door with my supporters. I also interact with people at the weekly haats.”
He added that while his party has provided some financial support, he receives donations from his supporters for campaigning. Admitting that its difficult to compete with the other cash-rich candidates, Rajendra said the unconditional support which he gets from his community and well-wishers motivates him to move forward.
A tribal belonging to the Kondh community, Rajendra works as a daily labourer to eke out a living.
“A tribal has rights over land, water and forests. My agenda for the election is to give them back their rights,” he said.
State committee member and district secretary of CPI-ML (Red Star) Bibek Ranjan said, “The party provided Rs 12,500 to Rajendra for deposit at the time of nomination. Irrespective of whether he wins or loses, our aim is to highlight the plight of the tribals and the work will continue.”
A resident of Chintaguda village under Kumbhari panchayat in Maoist-dominated Narayanpatna block in the district, the 27-year-old Rajendra is contesting the election on a CPI-ML (red star) ticket.
Pitted against Jarayam Pangi of BJP with a net worth of Rs 2 crore, Kausalya Hikaka of BJD with Rs 88.7 lakh and Saptagiri Ulaka of Congress with Rs 3.5 crore, Rajendra is the second poorest candidate of the country in the first phase with Rs 500 cash in hand and Rs 65 in bank account. Telangana’s Nalla Prem Kumar from Prem Janata Dal is the poorest candidate with just Rs 500.
Though the Koraput LS seat is set to witness a triangular contest between Congress, BJD and BJP, Rajendra is leaving no stone unturned to register an impressive performance.
“It was my party’s decision that I contest for the Koraput LS seat. I readily agreed since I am a disciplined party worker and have been fighting for the tribals,” Kendruka said when TOI caught up with him at Narayanpatna haat (weekly market) on Sunday where he was campaigning.
Asked as to how he manages electioneering against such rich candidates, Rajendra said, “I move from place to place in buses and go campaigning from door-to-door with my supporters. I also interact with people at the weekly haats.”
He added that while his party has provided some financial support, he receives donations from his supporters for campaigning. Admitting that its difficult to compete with the other cash-rich candidates, Rajendra said the unconditional support which he gets from his community and well-wishers motivates him to move forward.
A tribal belonging to the Kondh community, Rajendra works as a daily labourer to eke out a living.
“A tribal has rights over land, water and forests. My agenda for the election is to give them back their rights,” he said.
State committee member and district secretary of CPI-ML (Red Star) Bibek Ranjan said, “The party provided Rs 12,500 to Rajendra for deposit at the time of nomination. Irrespective of whether he wins or loses, our aim is to highlight the plight of the tribals and the work will continue.”
Making sense of 2019
#Electionswithtimes
View Full Coverage
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE