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Journalism of Courage
Kalavati,the widow of a debt-ridden farmer in Vidarbha whose plight was brought to focus by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Parliament last year,may contest next month’s Maharashtra assembly polls.
Kalawati Bandurkar,whose name Rahul mentioned in his speech during the debate on trust motion in Lok Sabha in July to highlight the plight of farmers,is likely to be fielded by Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti from Wani Assembly Constituency in Yavatmal District as Samiti nominee,Shetkari Sanghatana leader Sharad Joshi said.
“The Samiti nominees would be contesting a few of the 88 seats being contested by Swatantra Bharat Paksha and a decision on Kalawati’s candidature would be taken by the Samiti,” Joshi said.
Kishore Tiwari,president of the Samiti,said Kalavati would be filing her nomination papers on September 24.
48-year-old Kalawati hogged limelight after Rahul had mentioned meeting her during his visit to drought-hit Vidarbha which has seen a spate of farmers’ suicides in the last few years.
Kalavati had later gone to Delhi to meet Rahul and apprise her of grievances but could not meet him.
