For Nagarmal Bajoria, elections were far more than a political contest—they became a lifelong mission. Known across Bihar as ‘Dhartipakad’, the veteran election enthusiast who reportedly contested more than 280 times over several decades has died at the age of 97.
Bajoria passed away in Patna on Thursday. His final rites will be held in Bhagalpur, with his last journey ending at the Barari cremation ground on the banks of the Ganga.
Born in 1930 in Lahore, then part of British India, Bajoria moved with his family to Bhagalpur before Independence. Although he went on to establish himself as a businessman, his fascination with elections eventually became one of the defining features of his life.
He Wasn’t Always Fighting to Win
What made Bajoria different from conventional politicians was his approach to elections. His family says victory was never his only objective.
His grandson Saurav Bajoria said his grandfather entered electoral contests to make voters think about democracy and political participation.
“He contested to open voters’ eyes,”
Saurav said, explaining that Nagarmal wanted to prove that an ordinary citizen could also step into India’s biggest democratic contests.
That philosophy kept him returning to the ballot box, even after repeated defeats.
From Municipal Victory to Presidential Election
Nagarmal’s electoral journey began producing results early. In 1960, when he was around 30, he won the Bhagalpur municipal election, giving him his first taste of electoral success.
But his ambitions went well beyond local politics.
Over the years, Bajoria crossed paths with some of India’s most prominent political figures through his election campaigns. His electoral opponents included former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, who he contested against in Rae Bareli, and Rajiv Gandhi in Amethi.
He also contested against political heavyweights including Sanjay Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani and Pranab Mukherjee.
In an extraordinary move, Bajoria even entered the 1969 presidential election, filing his nomination against VV Giri.
His electoral journey continued for decades, with his last known election nominations coming in 2019.
Donkeys, Bells and Unusual Campaigns
Bajoria’s campaigns were rarely ordinary.
One of his most memorable election stunts came during the 2005 elections, when he organised a rally involving donkeys as part of his campaign against corruption.
The animals were made part of the political spectacle, with anti-corruption messages displayed on placards around their necks. The unusual campaign attracted attention from people in the area and became one of the many episodes that made Bajoria a familiar face in Bhagalpur.
His personal appearance also became part of his political identity.
He was often spotted wearing a vintage wristwatch associated with the Gandhi era and carrying a hand bell. During public interactions and rallies, he would ring the bell while speaking to people about democracy and encouraging voters to stay politically aware.
His unconventional methods helped transform him from merely another independent candidate into a recognisable personality in Bhagalpur’s public life.
Beyond Politics: A Life of Social Service
Bajoria’s contribution to society, however, was not confined to election campaigns.
According to his family, he also spent considerable time helping economically weaker families.
He reportedly supported the marriages of daughters from poor households, while also addressing basic infrastructure needs in places struggling with access to drinking water.
Where water shortages affected communities, he installed hand pumps at his own expense, his family said.
For Bajoria, public life therefore extended beyond the ballot box. His decades-long electoral journey may have made him famous, but his family believes his social work was equally important to his legacy.
A Unique Chapter in India’s Electoral History
From winning a municipal election at 30 to challenging some of the biggest names in Indian politics and even entering a presidential contest, Nagarmal Bajoria’s life followed a path rarely seen in Indian electoral politics.
His repeated presence on election ballots made him a familiar figure across generations, while his unusual campaigns gave him a place in Bhagalpur’s political folklore.
With his death at 97, an extraordinary chapter in India’s election history has come to an end.
