Hoshiarpur cobbler in fray for 19th time

Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi

Hoshairpur, January 17

Om Parkash Jakhu, a cobbler, is again in fray for the MLA’s post by filing his papers from Hoshiarpur on the Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshatki Party ticket today.

“If a chaiwala can become a PM of the country why can’t I as a cobbler become an MLA. My stake for MLA is not mine but people’s stake and my promise to people is freedom from rising prices and employment to the youth,” said Jakhu, while polishing shoes at his “khokha” near Clock Tower here.

Jakhu said, “I have entered the field to save the youth from drugs. My aim is work for every hand and food to every mouth.”

Jakhu has only Rs 40,000 with him that too in cash. He said he had election budget of Rs 10,000 only.

“Out of Rs 10,000, I have spent Rs 5,200 on filing the nominations and the rest I will spend on campaigning. I will go door to door on my two-wheeler,” he said.

Jakhu had been contesting the elections since long and had contested 18 different elections of MP and MLA. Years ago he was a candidate of the BSP. He had contested the last MP elections as Independent. He said, “I am against communalism and I will be contesting against the communal forces for the people who are downtrodden.”