Thaindian News

Nagpur, Sep 25 (IANS) An ailing Kalavati Bandurkar, the farmer’s widow from Yavatmal in Maharashtra who shot to fame after her encounter with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, travelled in an ambulance Friday afternoon to the office of the returning officer in Wani constituency to file her nomination papers for the coming assembly polls.
Since early Friday, the frail 48-year-old widow has been under treatment in the Yavatmal district hospital following hypertension, according to her aide. A few days back, Kalavati had announced her intention to contest the forthcoming polls to the state assembly.

“Despite strong psychological and political pressures built up on her by certain groups and organisations, Kalavati has displayed strong determination and filed her nomination a few minutes ago. She came in an ambulance accompanied by a medical team, and several thousands of villagers,” said her mentor, Kishore Tiwari, president of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, which has fielded her for the poll.

Unwilling to take chances, the VJAS also roped in another widow, Babitai Bais to file her nomination from the same constituency as an alternative arrangement.

Kalavati was rushed to hospital Thursday night following headache and vomiting. Though her condition was described as “serious” by the doctors, she is stable and under observation, he said.

Since Friday is the last date for filing of nominations for the Oct 13 Maharashtra assembly poll, VJAS and the Republican Left Democratic Front (known as Third Front) anxiously awaited medical advice on whether she can contest.

“We have decided that this time, a Vidarbha farmer’s widow must be elected to the assembly. It will be our way of tribute to the memory of over 7,000 debt-ridden farmers who committed suicide in the region. In September alone, 10 farmers killed themselves in Yavatmal district where over 1,600 people have died so far,” Tiwari told IANS.

Tiwari alleged that Sulabh International chief Bindeshwar Pathak has been constantly pressuring Kalavati not to stand for elections or forfeit an aid package of over Rs.2 million promised to the people of the district.

“He sent her a letter in English, then Hindi and now in Marathi, asking her not to contest or campaign against Rahul Gandhi. Kalavati could not take the pressure and fell prey to hypertension,” he said.

He reiterated that VJAS will make a serious attempt to “empower” the widows and orphans of Vidarbha and a widow elected from here shall be their face in the assembly.

The Vidarbha region includes Yavatmal, Nagpur, Akola, Gondia, Gadchiroli, Wardha, Amravati, Buldana, Washim, Bhandara and Chandrapur districts.

Congress and Shiv Sena candidates are also contesting the Wani seat.