mahatma gandhi: UP polls: Inspired by PM Modi, Odisha man campaigns for BJP as ‘Mahatma Gandhi’

Physique painted in silver and dressed up as Mahatma Gandhi, this 27-year-old man, standard as “Silver Gandhi”, is drawing crowd whereas campaigning for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

Mohan Mahapatra, also referred to as “Sai Ram Gandhi”, has up to now travelled throughout seven states of India on foot spreading the message of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He has now arrived in Uttar Pradesh to “make sure the victory of the BJP”, he says.

The 27-year-old man from Odisha says he’s rooting for the saffron occasion as a result of he’s “impressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his ideology and his insurance policies such because the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”.

Mahapatra says he first set out on this journey in 2016 utilizing the cash his mom gave him after promoting her earrings. He says he doesn’t cost cash from anybody and does it out of his personal will.

He reached Lucknow, the state capital, on February 8 — the day the BJP launched its manifesto for the Uttar Pradesh polls. After assembly Dwelling Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and different BJP leaders, he has actively been campaigning right here and drawing crowds.

Not solely youngsters however elders, too, throng to take selfies with Mahapatra wherever he campaigns.

“Seeing me, folks collect for selfies and whereas they click on images, I give them my message,” Mahapatra tells PTI.

When requested about his plans, he says, “I’m right here until the elections are over. I shall be leaving for Kaushambi, the place I’ll marketing campaign for Keshav Prasad Maurya (deputy chief minister) within the Sirathu Meeting seat). I’ll then go to Gorakhpur by foot to marketing campaign for Yogi Adityanath.”

Whereas Sirathu in Kaushambi will go to polls within the fifth section on February 27, elections to the Gorakhpur seat shall be held within the sixth section on March 3.

Explaining why he selected Uttar Pradesh, Mahapatra says it’s the largest state and is the center of the nation. “If the center works correctly, your entire physique capabilities effectively. I need to be certain that Yogi turns into the chief minister once more.”

Put up the Meeting elections, Mahapatra needs to journey to New Delhi on foot and meet the prime minister. “I’ve met senior leaders of the BJP. I even met the President, however couldn’t meet Modi, my idol.”

On being requested why he clothes up like Gandhi, Mahapatra says he’s working to meet Mahatma’s goals, reminiscent of “Swachhata”.

“I’ve walked throughout seven states, together with Kolkata, Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Punjab, to unfold the message of cleanliness,” he says.

Beforehand, the then Union minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had felicitated Mahapatra for ‘Longest Journey by Highway as Mahatma Gandhi’ in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

A former scholar of Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar, Mahapatra had set out on his first padayatra from the Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri on June 26, 2016.

Giving particulars about his relations, Mahapatra says his father handed away in 2018 and that his mom is “every little thing”.

He asserts that he doesn’t take cash from anybody and that he stays in temples and mutts.

His story can even be introduced out as a film titled ‘Silver Gandhi’.

“The film is being directed by Avinash Nanda and shall be dubbed in six languages,” Mahapatra says as he will get prepared for his subsequent marketing campaign.