With poll ticket, ragpicker vows to clean up city
He has managed to keep hundreds of homes in east Delhi litter-free and clean. Now, he wants to do the same in politics. Neelam Pandey reports.
He has managed to keep hundreds of homes in east Delhi litter-free and clean. Now, he wants to do the same in politics.
For the past 15 years, Jai Prakash Chaudhary or Santu as he is popularly known, has been collecting garbage from homes and recycling it. Chaudhary is now banking on his 'clean' image for a councillor's seat in the upcoming MCD polls.
The 35-year-old is contesting on a Lok Satta Party ticket and freedom from garbage and corruption is his campaign mantra. "I came to Delhi from Bihar 16 years ago. Unable to get any job, I started collecting garbage to earn a livelihood. Over a period of time I realised how important sanitation is for any city," said the resident of Trilokpuri.
"With each passing day, garbage is increasing and becoming unmanageable. Municipal councillors who should be addressing the issue are not at all interested in taking it up," he said.
Chaudhary wants to make the city a zero garbage zone and involve resident welfare associations in the decision-making process."Becoming a councillor is easy, but being one is difficult. If I'm elected, I'll work with a team of experts from various fields such as RWAs, doctors, engineers, to ensure whatever decision we take is for the entire society," said Chaudhury, who collects garbage from Mayur Vihar, Pandav Nagar, Trilokpuri, and Connaught Place homes.
Chadhury said he will continue his job even if he is elected as a councillor.
Chaudhury said he will work on his reputation and go to each and every home to inform them about his ideas. "I can't compete with other candidates as far as money is concerned. But I will hold meetings with residents and go door-to-door to help them make an informed choice."
