Never Tasted Victory In 35 Yrs, Odisha Man Continues His Tryst With Panchayat Polls 

‘Failure is the pillar of success.’ This time-tested adage has not seemed to be true, at least for Ashwini Sethi, who has been contesting for the ward member post from the same ward for last 35 years, without any success. 

Yet, his determination and the urge within him to serve the society have never taken a beating. This time around, Ashwini however is aiming to turn his fortunes around rather than just be also ran. 

In Amrutapur village under ward no-18 of Guamala Panchayat in Bhadrak district’s Tihidi block, you will come across a man pedaling a bicycle with a flex banner tied to it on the village road without fail. Ashwini Sethi who is now 60 years old is still brimming with indomitable spirit to win the election. 

He confirms it that he has unsuccessfully been contesting as a ward member from ward no-18 for last 35 years. “I never let the failures diminish my spirit. Rather I take them as a source of inspiration to fight the next election,” he says. 

“Being a poor man, spending money in elections like what the candidates backed by political parties do is impossible on my part. I know this is the reason of my failure. But, whenever elections arrive, I cannot deny myself from contesting, hoping for better” Sethi observes. 

Contesting election with the symbol of bullock cart, Sethi says he is synonymous with this sign as he gets this symbol in most elections. 
“Initially, I used to roam with a symbolic bullock cart with an aim to make people aware of my symbol. As of now, people are well aware of my symbol. I go around the villages, riding a cycle with a banner tied to it,” he says, sporting a smile all the while. 

Sethi has his some loyal followers as well. “The people who vote for me feel dejected after every election. When the next election comes, the same people again ask me to contest the election. It is their faith on me what exudes confidence in me and forces me to jump into the poll arena,” Sethi adds. 

It must be mentioned here that very often political parties have come offering post to include him in their fold, however, he turns them down as he always prefers to contest independently. A man of principles, Sethi is known as an amiable person in the locality and always goes out of way to help people in difficulties. However, despite his helpful nature, people keep rejecting him as a ward member which has surprised many.  

“My father-in-law has been contesting the elections but has never won even for once. Since we are poor, people think he wouldn’t be able to help them in getting their works done even if voted to power,” says Sethi’s daughter-in-law. “He always displays a smile. But it doesn’t mean that the failures don’t hurt him. They do hurt him as they do to every human being,” she points out. 

“We have never seen such clean-hearted person and to see him taste defeat in every election make us sad.  We now realise that he should win at least for once,” a female villager observes.