SAMAJWADI PARTY / This SP leader's record will surprise you, not a criminal; Still have gone to jail 251 times

Lucknow: Many unique stories are coming out in the midst of the ongoing Vidhan Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. One such story is that of Ravidas Mehrotra, the Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate, who is known for creating a record by going to jail more than 251 times in a career spanning 40 years.

Oldest student leader to contest election

Ravidas Mehrotra has been nominated by the Samajwadi Party from Lucknow Central Legislative Assembly seat and is one of the 'oldest' student leaders to contest the current election. He is not a criminal, but despite this he has been jailed 251 times.

Ravidas Mehrotra is 66 years old

Ravidas Mehrotra, 66, an alumnus of Lucknow University, has had a tumultuous career, but that hasn't dampened his enthusiasm for social work.

No criminal case registered

Regarding his jail record, Ravidas Mehrotra says, 'All the cases against me when I joined politics and after that are related to the demonstrations and protests by me during my university days. It reflects the fact that I have always been a fighter. There is not a single 'criminal' case against me.

SP government will be for Dalits and downtrodden: Mehrotra

Ravidas Mehrotra says, 'The SP government will be a government for the downtrodden and the deprived of justice, be it Muslims, Dalits, Christians and especially Brahmins, who have been persecuted under the BJP government. We will ensure that we bring 'Vikas' to all, irrespective of caste, community or religion we belong to. We stand by the claim that bread, clothes should be cheap, medicine and education should be free.

They claim that the COVID oxygen crisis has badly affected the people and that is why the sitting MLA, a minister, is contesting this time from the neighboring constituency. Mehrotra feels that if the SP comes to power, the promise of restoration of the pension scheme is his biggest advantage, as his constituency mainly consists of the salaried class.

When he informs his voters about the plans promised by his party when he comes to power, he says, "The BJP has done nothing for the development of the state." The law and order situation is bad and women and children are not safe. "We are also asking people to fill out a form where they can tell us what schemes they want," he says.