Suvarna Raj will contest from North Delhi’s Begumpur area as a Swaraj India party candidate
Thirty four-year-old Suvarna Raj, a wheelchair-bound international para-athlete — suffering from polio since the age of two — will now campaign on the streets of north Delhi's Begumpur as she contests the Municipal Corporation elections for the first time.
Raj, a social activist in the disability sector, has won several awards as an international para table tennis player as well as the national award (Role Model) from the President of India. She is now contesting the polls on the ticket of Prashant Bhushan-led Swaraj India party.
Highlighting the problems of the area she is contesting from, Raj said that the major issues such as roads, drainage, and cleanliness need to be addressed.
"There have been many physically-challenged politicians but they have not done much for the community. I want to change that, and my main focus for the polls will be cleanliness," adding that "I face several problems while commuting through lanes, which are full of garbage, and stink. I want to ensure that lanes are clean and suitable for both physically challenged people, as well as abled citizens," Raj told DNA.
Raj travels 25 km everyday from her house to office using public transport such as buses, metro, rickshaw, and she intends to campaign for the polls using the same tools. Being a native of Nagpur, Raj aims to replicate her hometown's model in the capital city such as garbage-free and clean streets and lanes.
"In Delhi, nobody can step out of their houses without covering their faces because of the foul smell from garbage. On the hand, my hometown in Nagpur is comparatively cleaner as there are proper rules and regulations, which are followed diligently. Residents are prohibited from throwing garbage on the streets or in front of their houses. I want to bring about the same awareness among the people of Delhi," she said.
Party leaders from the Swaraj India party say that Raj's attitude and her determination to make a difference is what impressed them. Senior party leaders also stated her determination to improve life for the differently-abled was a major reason why she was awarded a ticket.
"Political parties have not given much representation to the differently-abled, and women in general. The most important factor that gives Suvarna an edge is her resolve to work for the betterment of society. I think, with her hardwork and activism, she will emerge victorious," said Anupam, chief national spokesperson of Swaraj India.
Raj wants to get into the system to bring about a change to ensure a clean city and to reduce the spread of diseases. When Raj applied to both the Bharatiya Janta Party and Aam Aadmi Party, she received no response from either. "The party leaders of Swaraj India reverted first and promised to support my campaign. I was impressed by the party because of its transparency," she added.
She wants to focus on the 'Vision Document' devised by the party, which will make its debut in the municipal election this year. The party has declared the names of 96 candidates in three lists released so far and had called upon the citizens of Delhi to contest the polls, giving special emphasis to youth and women in politics.
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