‘Dharti Pakad’, who contested elections against prominent leaders, set a world record by running in over 280 elections. For him, the purpose of contesting was not limited to winning or losing; rather, he viewed it as a way to participate in democracy.
रिकॉर्ड 281 चुनाव लड़ने वाले ‘धरतीपकड़’ का निधन, इंदिरा, राजीव और अटल तक के खिलाफ लड़े चुनाव
Nagarmal Bajoria, a businessman from Bhagalpur, Bihar—famously known across the country as ‘Dharti Pakad’ for contesting over 280 elections ranging from municipal polls to the presidential election—has passed away at the age of 97. His family stated that he breathed his last at a hospital in Patna on Thursday following a prolonged illness.
‘Dharti Pakad’—who contested elections against prominent national leaders such as Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, and Pranab Mukherjee—held a world record for contesting more than 280 elections. For him, the objective of contesting elections was not limited to winning or losing; rather, he viewed it as a means of participating in democracy.
Born in Lahore, Pakistan
A native of Western Punjab (now in Pakistan), Nagarmal Bajoria was born in Lahore in 1930. Amidst the communal violence during the Partition, he left his home and migrated to India along with millions of other refugees. He later settled in Bhagalpur, in eastern Bihar, a region then renowned for its textile industry.
The late Bajoria’s son, Saurabh, mentioned that his father had also contested the 2005 Bihar Assembly elections, the year the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) lost power. He said, “He used to campaign wearing clothes printed with slogans reflecting his principles. He wore an old watch on his wrist, which he proudly claimed dated back to the era of Mahatma Gandhi.”
Gained prominence by contesting against stalwart leaders
He added, “It wasn’t as if my father only faced defeat; he actually won a municipal election in 1960. However, he gained nationwide recognition after filing his nomination for the 1969 presidential election—an election that was eventually won by V.V. Giri.”
Bajoria, a resident of Bhagalpur, had claimed to have challenged former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi in their respective constituencies of Raebareli and Amethi. Apart from the Gandhi family, Bajoria had also contested elections against stalwarts such as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, and former President Pranab Mukherjee.
Earned the nickname ‘Dharti Pakad’ for contesting elections repeatedly
In recent years, his public life had become limited due to advancing age. His son, Saurabh, mentioned that he had wished to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from more than one constituency—specifically Patna Sahib and Rae Bareli—but poor health stood in the way. His last notable political move was filing a nomination for the 2012 presidential election. He contested his final election in 2019.
A senior journalist recalled that Nagarmal Bajoria would often campaign by hanging placards bearing the names of famous leaders around the necks of donkeys. He would also distribute handfuls of cashews and raisins to those who showed interest in his campaign. It is said that he earned the nickname ‘Dharti Pakad’ (one who tenaciously clings to the ground/contest) precisely because he contested elections repeatedly, despite facing defeat every time. He held the record for contesting the highest number of elections.
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