Gujarat: MLA rich in goodwill but sons left in penury

VADODARA: Mark Twain had quipped that an honest politician is an oxymoron. And so it would seem when one recalls the contributions that Manek Tadvi, a former MLA from Jetpur (Pavijetpur) seat in 1967, had done for the society and how he finally lived and died in penury eight years ago. Now, his two sons are living an impoverished life in Chhota Udepur.
Even as Manek Chowk in Chhota Udepur town, a bustling crossroad, pays tributes to the memory of this social reformer, the fact that he reaped rich only in people's goodwill, unlike many present-day MLAs who have assets worth crores, may have been blurred in public memory.
Tadvi had worked selflessly for his constituency's development. But while this popular legislator earned tremendously in intangible assets like voters' love and respect, he passed the last days of life in poverty and left his two sons and wife penniless and struggling.
"He was an honest man who got into politics to serve people. During his five-year term, he worked for development and didn't expect anything back. In those times, many politicians didn't believe in amassing properties or financial gains," said Vijay, Tadvi's son who works as a truck driver. Vijay's brother Dilip works as a casual labourer and barely earns Rs 100 a day.
Tadvi contested from Jetpur constituency as Swatantra Party candidate in 1967 and defeated the Congress candidate by over 3,000 votes.
Locals recall 'Manek' as the paan-stall owner in Chhota Udepur town who was active in public life and was always ready to help people.
Losing polls left Tadvi in dire straits
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Manek Tadvi's condition was pathetic and I remember him going to the market to seek work as a casual labourer. He had a paan shop but it didn't earn him much income. I would help sometimes help him financially too," said the 11-term MLA, who retained the Jetpur seat till 2022. This time, 78-year-old Mohansinh's son Rajendrasinh is contesting from the BJP on the same seat. Tadvi won the tribal votes as they felt he understood the community's problems.
"Tadvi carried out various development work in his constituency leading Jetpur to honour him with a traffic junction named after him. But ironically, when Tadvi was back on the streets after he lost the 1972 assembly polls, he didn't get much help from the same people," said Vijaysinh Vasandia, a resident of Chhota Udepur.
After losing the polls, Tadvi started a small flour mill but after it failed to take off, he sought to eke a living through menial labour work while his wife Savita fought hard to keep the home fires burning. Savita Tadvi passed away three years ago, and today, the burden of existence falls on Manek's two sons who now lead impoverished lives in Chhota Udepur.