New Delhi: K Padmarajan, a 65-year-old tyre repair shop owner from Tamil Nadu, is gearing up for his 239th attempt at public office as he braces to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, unfazed by his long history of defeats.
Since 1988, Padmarajan has thrown his hat into the political ring a staggering 238 times, starting from his hometown of Mettur in Tamil Nadu. Despite never tasting victory, Padmarajan remains resolute in his belief that participation itself is a victory.
“Victory is secondary,” he declares, emphasizing that his goal is simply to participate. “Who is the opposite candidate? I do not care,” Padmarajan quoted by AFP.
Nicknamed the “Election King,” Padmarajan has contested elections across various levels of government, from presidential to local polls. His opponents have included prominent figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
“It is about involvement,” Padmarajan insists, viewing his repeated candidacy as a means to encourage civic engagement and awareness. “People hesitate to put in their nominations. So I want to be a role model, to create awareness,” he was quoted by newswire AFP.
Despite the financial toll — he estimates spending thousands of rupees in nomination fees over the years — Padmarajan remains undeterred. His latest bid requires a security deposit of ₹ 25,000, refundable only if he secures more than 16% of the vote.
Padmarajan’s only victory has been to secure a place in the Limca Book of Records as India’s most unsuccessful candidate. His most notable performance was in 2011, when he garnered over 6,000 votes in the Mettur assembly elections.
Beyond his political pursuits, Padmarajan runs a tyre repair shop and provides homoeopathic remedies, all while serving as an editor for local media. However, it is his electoral campaigns that hold the utmost importance for him.
Despite his string of defeats, Padmarajan maintains a positive outlook, viewing failure as an opportunity for growth. “If we are in that frame of mind, we do not get stressed,” he remarks.
As he continues his electoral journey, Padmarajan stresses the importance of voting for every citizen. “It is their right, they should cast their votes,” he asserts, highlighting the significance of democratic participation.
While Padmarajan’s aspirations for victory remain modest, he admits that an actual win would be a shock. “I will have a heart attack,” he jokes, underscoring his unwavering commitment to the democratic process.
