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When Gandhiji was graceful in both victory & defeat

Five years before Gandhi became the president of Indian National Congress in 1921, he had managed only a handful of votes.

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The aura that Mahatma Gandhi possessed was enough to get him plum seat in the corridors of power, but the quintessential leader's belief in the power of democracy triumphed over cupidity.

Rare photos: The many moods of Mahatma Gandhi

Before he went on to become one of the finest leaders, Gandhi unlike the leaders of today, fought local elections. While the total number of elections contested by the Mahatma is still a subject of research, records reveal that Gandhi contested at least four of them. An eerie silence has been maintained about the two occasions when the leader of the masses had to suffer defeat in polls.

DNA takes a look at four occasions when Gandhi contested in local elections.

It was back in 1915, when Gandhi first settled in Ahmedabad after setting up 'satyagraha ashram.' Back then, the Gujarat club, where Gandhi met Sardar Patel for the first time, was a hub for social welfare activities. A local political organization called 'Gujarat Sabha' played a role in nominating delegates for the Congress 'adhivation' and Gandhi successfully contested for the post of vice-president of Gujarat Sabha. It is believed that this is the first time ever that Gandhi contested an election. However, the second experience which was not too merry, will always remain memorable.  It is well known that Gandhi became the president of Indian National Congress in 1921, but little do people know that five years before assuming the leadership, Gandhi had managed only a handful of votes. In the subject committee elections held in 1917, Gandhi suffered a heavy defeat, managing just three votes. 

The sequence was repeated in his third election too. Despite being the editor of 'Navjivan,' Gandhi had failed to acquire the top position in Gujarat Sahitya Parishad's sixth term. The leader lost out narrowly to Hargovindas Kantawala in an intense battle. While Gandhi bagged 15 votes, Kantawala managed 22 to displace him.  The election held on September 22, 1919 at Premabhai hall in Ahmedabad witnessed some anxious scenes as Gandhi's candidature was opposed by many including his aide, Narhari Parikh. It must be noted that despite the strong opposition, the great leader never expressed resent and disappointment.

After being released from prison in 1924 due to deteriorating health, Gandhi was appointed as the head of Congress at its 39th meet in Belgaon. The rules stated that only the elected delegates of the 'regional committee' could attend the Congress meet. Thus only after clearing the 'taluka' level election, one was allowed to attend the meet. Gandhi, who contested for the post of 11 delegates from Gujarat regional committee, which was headed by Vallabhbhai Patel bagged the maximum votes (171).

The picture at the national level now has changed dramatically. Internal settlement among party workers ensures that the might of leaders is never actually tested. Leaders like Gandhi and Sardar Patel contested even taluka level elections and showed their respect towards the system. Gandhi had also expressed interest to contest elections of the Ahmedabad Municipality. Had he not joined that satyagraha movement, the history of Ahmedabd Municipality would have been an entirely different story. 

(Rendered by Maulin Parikh)

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