Out of classroom, martyr’s wife takes political lessons

A mother of two, she would have returned to her humdrum life but the BJP nominated her as a candidate for the Mahendragarh Lok Sabha constituency. Initially reluctant to join politics, Sudha filed her nomination after being encouraged by her family and relatives.

Mahendragarh is the only seat in Haryana that is dominated by the Ahirs. Rao Birender Singh has been the most prominent MP from here. He was a Union Minister for several years and Chief Minister of Haryana in 1967. In 1998, Inderjit Singh of the Congress had wonfrom here. The 1991 and 1996 winner, Col Ram Singh, was a Union minister in 1992. Sudha Yadav has no such credentials.

“I had never participated in politics, not even at the college or the university level but I always had this longing to do social service,” says Sudha. “And there is no better way to do it than by joining politics. I feel that there are certain things which should be done in the people’s interest, but since only the politicians have decision-making powers, a common person can hardly do anything. I have certain ideas. The only thing I required was a medium.”.

The families of the slain soldiers and ex-servicemen always weigh heavily on her mind. “All that they need first is awareness. The widows of the soldiers face lots of difficulties. They don’t how to draw pension or open a bank account. These are simple things but someone has to acquaint them with this, spend time with them. And I have been doing it in the past and will continue to do so,” she says. “This region is so backward.There are no opportunities for higher education. There is so much to do.”

Wearing a cream-coloured saree, she travels at a hectic pace in a maroon Tata Safari, attending election meetings one after another. But there are no signs of exhaustion on her face. She stays unruffled when women mob her. But there are things which amuse her. When villagers at a place decide to donate coins corresponding to her weight, she smiles. “Frankly, I am pretty new to all this.”

Her speeches are short and mostly devoid of political content. “Na main koi neta hoon aur na hi kisi raj gharane se hoon. Main ek sainik parivar se hoon. Aap mein se ek hoon and hamesha aap logon ke saath rahungi. Mujhe aap sab se bahut umeeden hain.”( I am neither a politician, nor do I belong to a royal family. I belong to a family of armymen. I am one of you and will always be with you. I have high hopes from you.)

“If she wins it will be a turning point in the politics of Ahirwal,” comments a relative of Sudha. It will be for thefirst time that someone from a middle class family will represent this constituency which otherwise has been a stronghold of bigwigs.”

Indeed, Dr Sudha Yadav’s clean image, family background and simplicity are big assets. “She is highly qualified and has the confidence to interact and think rationally. How many candidates have credentials like these?” asks her brother-in-law.

The contest is being billed as a battle between the daughter of Ahirwal she belongs to Motla Kalan village in Mahendragarh and was married in Dhamalwas village of Rewari and feudal powers, as one senior BJP leader puts it.

She dismisses the comment made by the Opposition that the BJP has only used her as a pawn for political gains. “This thought never crossed my mind. My sole intention is to serve people. My responsibility becomes three-fold if I manage to win. Not only am I the widow of a soldier but I am also a teacher and most importantly a woman.”

How does she feel being in the limelight, when women mob her and peopleshout slogans for her and her husband? “I become more determined. It reassures me time and again that I have got the people’s support.” Will she stay in politics if she loses? “I will continue to do social service even if I lose but I may have to reconsider my decision to stay in politics,” she says.