Independent eunuch candidate takes on political bigwigs in India's poll-bound northern state
JANUARY 21, 2012 Varanasi India By Girish Kumar Dubey
An independent eunuch candidate would be contesting in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state assembly elections from the southern seat of holy city, Varanasi.
The Uttar Pradesh, polls will be held in seven phases between February and March. In the fray are India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), federal ruling Congress party, provincial ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and state's main opposition Samajwadi Party (SP).
With parties leaving no stone unturned in their preparation for the polls, the political mercury has soared across the state, as rival leaders engage in a war of words on a range of issues.
But Kamla, the independent eunuch candidate was intimidated. Following the path of seasoned players, Kamla too played the corruption card while campaigning door-to-door and performing at every corner.
Speaking to mediapersons before leaving, Kamla said on Saturday (January 21) that we 'give blessings and ask for your votes in return'.
Kamla attacked all leading political parties and blamed them for making false promises every five years and added that after being elected they hardly returned to their constituencies to address the woes of the people.
"I am contesting this election to fight corruption. The poor people in the country are suffering and they need to be uplifted. The Muslims have not received any aid, they don't have any health facilities for them. The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing," said Kamla.
For the locals in the southern part of Varanasi city, electing a eunuch candidate could bring a wave of fresh change. Disappointed by all previous winners, a eunuch with fewer economic needs has emerged as the best bet.
"The public is frustrated and angry with every political leader at the moment and if we look at eunuchs, although they are treated as outcastes, but they only entertain and bless people. Hence people in this southern assembly seat are of the opinion to vote for a eunuch," said Vikram Bharadwaj, a local.
Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state and provides the biggest single bloc of seats in the Indian parliament. Ironically, it is also one of the country's worst performers in several socio-economic indices.
An independent eunuch candidate will be contesting in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state assembly elections from the southern seat of holy city of Varanasi.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JANUARY 21, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
1. EUNUCH AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE IN INDIA'S NORTHERN UTTAR PRADESH STATE ELECTIONS, KAMLA LEADING A GROUP OF EUNUCHS FOR HER ELECTION CAMPAIGNING
2. KAMLA WITH OTHER EUNUCHS WALKING
3. A EUNUCH HOLDING ELECTION PAMPHLETS
4. EUNUCHS CAMPAIGNING FOR KAMLA
5. KAMLA WALKING AND CAMPAIGNING FOR THE UPCOMING STATE ELECTIONS
6. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) EUNUCH AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE IN INDIA'S NORTHERN UTTAR PRADESH STATE ELECTIONS, KAMLA, SAYING:
"I am contesting this election to fight corruption. The poor people in the country are suffering and they need to be uplifted. The Muslims have not received any aid, they don't have any health facilities for them. The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing."
7. A POLITICAL BANNER OF KAMLA AND HER SUPPORTERS
8. IMAGE OF KAMLA ON THE POLITICAL BANNER
9. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) VIKRAM BHARADWAJ, A LOCAL SAYING:
"The public is frustrated and angry with every political leader at the moment and if we look at eunuchs, although they are treated as outcastes, but they only entertain and bless people. Hence people in this southern assembly seat are of the opinion to vote for a eunuch."
10. EUNUCH PERFORMING
11. A MAN SITTING
12. A EUNUCH PERFORMING
13. CHILDREN STANDING
14. PEOPLE WATCH EUNUCHS PERFORM
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