While many resign themselves to fate after a single failure, there are valiant souls who repeatedly rise, unfazed by setbacks. Padmarajan from Tamil Nadu is such a figure.
Persistent through 238 elections, Padmarajan's never-say-die spirit prevails despite incessant defeats.
Residing in Mettur, Tamil Nadu, Padmarajan has contested all, from local to presidential elections. High-profile opponents include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former PMs Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, as well as Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.
Padmarajan's political journey has seen him run for President five times, Vice President five times, the Lok Sabha 32 times, the state assembly 72 times, the MLC post three times, and even for mayor. His last candidacy was in Telangana's Gajwel constituency, against then Chief Minister KCR.
Fought His First Election in 1988
Now 64, Padmarajan embarked on his electoral odyssey in 1988 from the Mettur Assembly seat and hasn't looked back since.
Owning a tire repair shop, he also identifies as a homeopathic doctor. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he stood against Modi in Varodra. By 2019, he challenged Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad, concluding the run with a mere 1,887 votes. 'Who stands opposite doesn't concern me,' asserts Padmarajan.
Subject to ridicule upon each defeat, such trivialities never swayed his focus. As Padmarajan articulates, 'Everyone aims for victory. Not me. Participating is winning for me. It's in defeat that I find happiness.'
Source: aajtak
Millions Spent in Electoral Pursuits
According to a PTI report, Padmarajan has set records with his indomitable electoral passion, spending upwards of a crore rupees. The non-refundable election deposit alone costs 25,000 rupees, as it's returned only if a candidate secures a minimum of 16% votes—a milestone Padmarajan has yet to achieve.
His best performance was in the 2011 Tamil Nadu state assembly elections, garnering 6,273 votes from Mettur. He shared with AFP, 'I expect no votes, yet it confirms my public acceptance.'
During 2019's elections, he contested from three seats — Wayanad, Vellore, and Dharmapuri, each time receiving less than 0.5% of votes. 'Participation matters,' states Padmarajan. 'Many hesitate to file their candidacy. I want to be a role model, to create awareness.'
Source: aajtak
AKeeper of Detailed Electoral Records
Never victorious, yet meticulous about his documents, Padmarajan laminates and preserves every nomination paper and ID.
Always an independent, his symbols have ranged from fish to telephones. Currently, he carries the 'tire' symbol.
Once an object of derision, he now inspires students. 'I don't dwell on winning. With such an outlook, stress is a stranger,' he reveals.
Source: aajtak
In the Limca Book of Records
Padmarajan may consistently lose, but he owns a unique record—in the Limca Book for the most election losses.
Additionally, titles like 'Election King' and 'World's Biggest Election Loser' are synonymous with him.
He has recently filed for candidacy in Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri seat. His affidavit illustrates modest possessions: a bike, some jewelry, a total of 1.11 lakh rupees in movable assets, and 14 lakh in immovable assets. His resolve unshaken, he pledges to continue until his last breath, humorously warning that winning might actually give him a heart attack.
