Independent cries for getting 5 votes, video goes viral, gets 856 instead

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 23

An Independent candidate from Jalandhar, Neetu Shattran Vala, who came out of the counting centre crying, because of only 5 votes polled to him in the first round. He actually got 856 votes.

More than the leading and main candidates, it was Neetu who remained the talk of the town all day. Not only this, his video went viral in which he shared with the media that he could not believe how could he got only five votes while there were nine members in his families, he became famous on TikTok app too. People from all over the country strarsd making videos on TikTok enacting him with his voice as background score. After some rounds, it came out that not five, but he scored 856 votes.

Only after one round, he got so shattered that he did not even think that there were many rounds left. He cried loudly and was inconsolable. He said that he would not contest the elections in future.

Neetu is into the work of repairing shutters and earns Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per month. He is contesting the poll for the first time. Neetu closed his shop to reach out to people and was spending most of his time in campaigning.

While talking to The Tribune he had said he thought that there was nobody to protect the rights of a poor. “Have you ever seen so many Independent candidates who are willing to contest the poll, it is not because they are hopeful that they will win, but they think that there is no other alternative left but to stand for the rights of people,” Neetu said, adding that no MP has done anything till date.”

Neetu once said if voted to power, he would work for poor and helpless people. “I will only ask for six months from voters and if not able to work in these months, I will resign from the post,” Neetu said.

Neetu had said all his life, he seen poverty and problems, so now, he wanted to work and dedicate his life to persons like him.

“Residents of the city tell me that even if other political parties will try to woo them by opting various means, still they vote for me. This is what I think I have earned until now,” he added.