JOIN USAll of 22, this political novice means business
She is the youngest contestant in the fray, and she is stalling her education in pursuit of chasing her dream of serving the poor and the needy.
Ashwini T, the 22-year-old candidate who is contesting from the Deepanjalinagar (Ward No 158) on a JD(S) ticket, is a second year MCom student. In fact, Ashwini is the first person from her family to enter into the electoral politics.
The BBMP polls has thrown up some interesting candidates, but Ashwini is an unlikely choice for a party like JD(S).
Sharing her aspirations, Ashwini told Deccan Herald that apart from addressing many problems plaguing her ward, she would also want to change the mindset of people, especially youngsters like her, who tend to shy away from politics. “Given the present day political scenario, it is not surprising to see youngsters not getting involved in the political processes. Everytime we discuss politics, the first thing everybody talks about is prevalence of rampant corruption. Their collective impression is that all politicians are corrupt. I wanted to debunk this theory, and tell the youngsters that not all politicians are corrupt, and that politics isn’t really a bad world.”
She said that after learning about her entry into the fray, her friends and college authorities alike were pleasantly surprised. “My friends are happy for me. But they have cautioned me not to take the wrong path, since I am going to be an inspiration to other youngsters. My college authorities too have been very encouraging for having braved into politics,” she added.
Ashwini, who has applied for a month-long leave, said that she will have to discontinue her studies if she wins the elections.
The political greenhorn promises her voters that she will take the problems of her ward to the BBMP Council, where she will “earnestly” present them and find suitable solutions to the same.
Her mantra - salvage the ‘green city’ from becoming the ‘garbage city.’