Barmer’s 26-year-old Independent face Ravindra Bhati: ‘When needed (by BJP), I was deshbhakt, now that I am contesting I am deshdrohi’

Ravindra Bhati, 26, is a rising star in Rajasthan politics, who has been a student union president, MLA and now a Lok Sabha poll candidate –contesting all three times as an Independent. He is currently pitted against the sitting BJP MP and Union minister Kailash Choudhary and the Congress’s Ummeda Ram Beniwal in a triangular contest in the Barmer Lok Sabha constituency. Bhati speaks to The Indian Express on a range of issues, sounding confident about his prospects. Excerpts:

What are the main poll issues in the Barmer constituency?

The basic facilities which include water, education, medical services and employment. These are our priorities.

Who is your main opponent, Kailash Choudhary or Ummeda Ram?

They are doing their work and I am doing mine.

You were elected as an MLA four months ago, why did you feel the need to contest the Lok Sabha election?

I am following the public’s instructions. They ordered that I have to contest the election and so I am.

The Balmer Lok Sabha constituency has eight Assembly segments, including one (Sheo seat) you’re elected from. How are you managing the other seven?

Ravindra is not contesting this election, but the people of Barmer, Jaisalmer and Balotra are contesting it. And they are the ones managing this election. They are going to each and every booth and every home and requesting people to press the button next to the “Apple” (election symbol) and bless their younger brother Ravindra.

Why do you think people are thronging your rallies? At 26 you’ve been a student union president, MLA and now a Lok Sabha poll candidate.

It is their love. They are coming to give their blessings to their younger brother. They trust that their brother has come from among them, from a regular family, and will