Lok Sabha Election 2019: Gujarat's first 3rd gender candidate rallies

  • | Wednesday | 24th April, 2019

She called herself very fortunate as unlike other parents, her parents never let her go to the community of eunuchs. I am ready to join any party who gives me a ticket and I will ensure it happens soon,” says Raju Mataji. It is important for people to see my face on this important day," says Naresh Jaiswal aka Raju Mataji who is contesting as an independent from Ahmedabad East. "I tried to get a ticket from a party but no one agreed to grant me one. I started facing rejection from schools where I would be addressed as 'Pallo Latke' due to my walking style.

At a time when the entrance of Bombay Housing Colony in Saraspur was abuzz with tables of the BJP and Congress, assisting voters and creating a momentum for voting, Gujarat's first third gender candidate was seen visiting residences of voters urging them to vote for her. "I have run out of cash to set up a table and canvas. It is important for people to see my face on this important day," says Naresh Jaiswal aka Raju Mataji who is contesting as an independent from Ahmedabad East. Speaking with DNA, Raju shared that her biggest strength was that since she did not have children, it was easier for people to believe that she was there to do good for the people. She called herself very fortunate as unlike other parents, her parents never let her go to the community of eunuchs. "I hate begging for money and I always wanted to work. I started facing rejection from schools where I would be addressed as 'Pallo Latke' due to my walking style. Even today, many address me that way. I also worked at a chai kitli for a year but then, I was humiliated. It was then that I first thought of getting into politics." Her first stint with politics was in 2015 when she contested corporation elections, and garnered 1,703 votes. "I then realised that I have a lot of supporters. My biggest supporters are two small kids from the locality, one of whom is an orphan. Because of my weight, it is difficult for me to climb up and stick posters; these two boys help me do that." Her parents live nearby and support her. She has also faced backlash from her community for her decision of getting into politics. "I tried to get a ticket from a party but no one agreed to grant me one. Parties have so much money to campaign but for me, I had no option but to do door-to-door visits," she signed off. Visits 5k Homes “I have covered nearly 5,000 houses and that too, without any funding. If I get funds, imagine what I can achieve. I am ready to join any party who gives me a ticket and I will ensure it happens soon,” says Raju Mataji.

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