Meet Hasnu Ram Ambedkari, a 74-year-old man in Uttar Pradesh who has fought and lost 92 elections. But this has failed to pull him down as he is set to test his luck for the 93rd time in the state panchayat polls.
A resident of Raj Nagar Nagla Dulhe Khan in Agra, Hasnu Ram claims to be an ardent follower of BR Ambedkar, hence the suffix ‘Ambedkari’.
Hasnu Ram has been fighting elections since 1984. Despite losing every poll, Hasnu Ram Ambedkari has contested every election from panchayat polls to assembly election and Lok Sabha election. He even filled his candidature for the post of President of India, but his application was rejected.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he contested from Fatehpur Sikri seat and got around 4,200 votes.
This year, he has decided to contest UP Panchayat polls.
“This time, I have entered the field to contest elections as a member of Ward 31 of the district panchayat. If live till 2022, I will also contest the assembly election,” Hasnu Ram said.
What drives him to contest every poll? Social service, he says. Speaking to India Today TV, the seasoned candidate said that he wants to help people.
A MNREGA worker by profession, Hasnu Ram Ambedkari says he spends half of what he earns on social service.
In a way, he is happy that he keeps losing. Hasnu Ram said that losing polls keeps him grounded; if he ever wins he may lose touch with people he wants to help.
His enthusiasm for elections has also infected his wife Surma Devi as she has entered the poll fray for the first time. She has filed nomination papers for the post of pradhani in Nagla Dulhe Khan.
Will the 93rd time prove to be lucky for Hasnu Ram Ambedkari? Only time will tell.