Karate champ gives round kick to corruption

Body builder, runner, gymnast and judo and karate expert. Kondli legislator from AAP, Manoj Kumar, has many shades to his personality but his focus is only one – fighting corruption.

Perceived as a social worker who is always willing to help others in need, the 34-year-old fitness buff claims his plunge into politics was more of a natural progression. 

“I have been active in my area for almost a decade,” said the former property dealer.

And his inspiration to serve people came from his father who just retired from Uttar Pradesh Police.

“My father has inculcated in me the habit of being a law-abiding citizen. He also trained us to be helpful and serve the nation. He did his bit to serve the country through the uniformed service and I am trying to walk in his footsteps by joining politics,” said Manoj Kumar.The AAP leader voluntarily provided his property dealing office to the party to open its local unit in Kondli.

Manoj Kumar, a six-footer, is a keen gymnast and judo and karate expert. “I do not find much time to pursue my passion now,” he admitted. He said he was grateful to his family for backing his decision to enter politics. 

“There was a brief debate before I applied for a ticket of the AAP. My father told me if you want to serve the people do it wholeheartedly,” said the lawmaker.

His experience at the just concluded Assembly session have left him enriched. “It took me some time to realise that we have now joined the ranks of lawmakers,” he said.

About his political leaning before the arrival of AAP in Delhi’s political landscape, the former property dealer said, “I used to vote for independent candidates. This time I thought I could also enter the fray and serve people like those whom I supported in previous elections.”

He recalled how he joined the Jan Lokpal movement and lent support to the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal. “My political career was shaped by the two anti-corruption crusaders,” said Manoj Kumar.