Rajasthan’s Popatlal Has Lost 14 Elections, Now in Spotlight After Congress Leader Harish Choudhary’s Remark

As Panchayati Raj election fever grips rural Rajasthan, a familiar face is back in the news. Popatlal Sargara, 59, from the Samdari area of Balotra district, has contested 14 elections, from sarpanch to MLA and Lok Sabha, and lost every time.

His enthusiasm for contesting has not dimmed. On Wednesday, 14 October, senior Congress leader and Baytoo MLA Harish Choudhary made a special mention of him at an important meeting called by the Congress on its Panchayati Raj election strategy.

Choudhary took a light-hearted dig at Popatlal's fondness for contesting elections. The remark has since gone viral across the state.

Contested 14 elections, lost every time

Popatlal has so far contested five sarpanch elections, four Assembly elections, four Lok Sabha elections and one zila parishad member election. He also got his wife to contest some of the elections, but she too could not win.

He has never sought a ticket from any political party. He believes the public is the real strength and that one day people of all 36 communities will back him.

Campaigning without fanfare, sometimes by bus and sometimes on foot, has become his identity.

Sold land and animals to fund polls; family has now accepted his zeal despite defeats

Popatlal does not raise any big fund or donations for elections. According to media reports, he saves small amounts over five years to build his election kitty.

He has had to sell his household animals and even his land to contest. His family's finances are modest. His son and wife both work as labourers to run the household.

Family members initially tried to stop him from contesting. They have now understood that he will not stop. He campaigns without anyone alongside, believing that direct conversation with people builds trust.

Harish Choudhary's remark stirs political buzz

Popatlal's name drew more attention when Choudhary mentioned him openly at a meeting in the Siwana Assembly constituency. Speaking to party workers in a light-hearted political style, he said there is no cure for a person who is gripped by the urge to contest elections. The matter could be settled only if some cure for Popatlal ji were possible, he said.

Choudhary said: "Popatlal ji has contested against me, against Balaram ji, against Pankaj Pratap ji, against Sunil ji, against Ummed ji. What can one do if someone has this in mind? He feels he simply has to contest elections."

Despite repeated defeats, Popatlal's persistence in contesting elections has become a talking point across Rajasthan.