Wearing saree he woos voters

Bihar: Surprises spring up in every Panchayat elections in Bihar. It's not a roadside Nautanki in Bachwara. The saree-clad figure is Ashok Sah, who's campaigning for the panchayat elections.

Ashok goes door-to-door each day in a saree, convincing people to vote for him.

His election symbol is a ladies purse and his way of wooing voters is fast becoming a hit.

Says he, "The advantage of cross-dressing is that all women vote for me. Men understand that I am a man and vote for me."

Ashok spends a lot of time every morning in front of the mirror to make himself up. He takes care not to miss out on details - the bangles, the bindi.

When he walks out people queue up to catch a glimpse of their candidate and what's more people are supporting him.

Says Mithilesh Kumar, a resident of Bachwara, "We tell people that his vote bank has increased manifold from dressing like a woman."

Another resident, Bijli Devi says, "People laugh when he goes to ask for votes but then they vote too."

The local doctor of Bachwara village, A K Mishra says, "It's important that he wins for I believe that he will serve the people well."

Ashok was forced to pick up this plan of action as nothing else was working for him. Though his family isn't endorsing his strategy, he felt this was the only way he could make an impression.

Despite family pressure, Ashok decided to continue with his unique election campign. This innovative move is fast becoming popular and is also putting him ahead of the competition.

(With inputs from Kumar Saurabh)

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