Teetar Singh, a 78-year-old MGNREGS worker from Rajasthan, is preparing to contest the upcoming assembly polls on November 25th. Despite losing his deposit in every election he has participated in since the 1970s, Singh remains undeterred. When questioned about his decision to continue running, he responded, “Why should I not fight?” He believes that this election is a battle for rights, demanding land and facilities from the government. Singh asserts that his motivation for participating in elections is not for popularity or records but as a means to achieve his rights.
Singh claims that he has contested every election, ranging from panchayat to Lok Sabha polls, but has faced defeat each time. Nevertheless, he remains passionate and enthusiastic, having filed his nomination papers for the assembly election. Hailing from the Dalit community and residing in ’25 F’ village, Singh initially decided to enter politics in the 1970s due to the perceived deprivation of land allotment for people like him in the canal command area.
Despite his persistent efforts, Singh’s demand for land allotment remains unfulfilled, and his sons continue to work as daily wage laborers. He revealed that he possesses a deposit capital of Rs 2,500 but lacks property, land, or vehicles. Singh typically works as a daily wage laborer under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA); however, during election campaigns, he shifts his focus to self-promotion.
Unfortunately, Singh has never achieved favorable results in any election and has lost his deposit every time. In the 2008 Rajasthan assembly elections, he received 938 votes, followed by 427 votes in the 2013 assembly elections and 653 votes in the 2018 assembly polls.
Singh’s determination to fight for his rights remains unwavering, despite his unsuccessful political career. This article has been published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by NDTV staff, except for the headline.
