Activist wants to turn politician. But before that, he wants to know what you think
Activist wants to turn politician. But before that, he wants to know what you think
An activist-turned-politician is not waiting for the Lok Sabha elections to know if people want him. Taking a leaf out of the Idea mobile advertisement featuring Abhishek Bachchan, he is asking people to SMS 'Yes' or 'No' to his mobile number, depending on whether or not they want him to contest elections.
C V Giddappa, an advocate better known as the founder of the Credit Card Holders' Association of India which fights against banks and recovery agents, plans to contest the parliamentary elections as an independent from Bangalore Central constituency.
But before taking the plunge, he placed advertisements in regional newspapers, asking people if they wanted him to contest elections. "I received over a thousand SMSes, of which 90 per cent said Yes and 10 per cent said No," he told MiD DAY.
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Giddappa then called the people who had said "No" and asked them why. "They told me that I was doing social service by helping credit card holders. So it was best I kept out of politics. Some said that I would not be able to give enough time to the credit card cause. Some said that I would lose very heavily and undergo loss," he said.
But Giddappa's answer to those concerns is that as an MP, he can help credit card holders more. "Now as an advocate, I have to attend court and am able to give only three hours of my time. If I become an MP, I will be able to give over 12 hours towards the cause," he said.
Giddappa also feels he has nothing to lose. "I am not spending much money on campaigning unlike national parties who spend in crores. I have printed pamphlets and our volunteers will distribute them from door to door.
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I am not asking people to follow me and join me in campaigning. I am only asking them to spare half an hour of their time on polling day and to come and vote. When I am not putting anything at stake, there is nothing to lose," he said.
He is optimistic and pins his hopes on family and the people he has helped. "Our association has about 25,000 members. My community itself has 2 lakh members. We were part of a few families which migrated from Andhra Pradesh. Now, these families have grown. At least they will vote for me," he said.
