Punjab farmer readies to fight presidential polls

Fatehgarh Sahib, June 25 (UNI) Displaying the proverbial indomitable Punjabi spirit, a farmer here, who has unsuccessfully entered the poll fray five times, was all set to throw in his hat for sixth time in the presidential poll ring tomorrow.

Mit Singh, an undermatriculate farmer of Sehjra village near Barnala town here, received a steady stream of well-wishers since this morning as he prepared to file his nomination papers as an independent candidate to the nation's highest post.

A proud Singh informed UNI that he had filed nomination papers against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from Chikmagloor (Karnataka) in 1978 Lok Sabha polls, apart from running for Presidential and Vice Presidentail polls in 1977,1982,1987,1992, 1997,2002.

However, his papers were rejected every time on technical grounds.

Born on January 6, 1943, Singh had also contested Punjab Assembly elections in 1977,1980,1985,1992 as an independent candidate.

Asked how he managed to finance his poll campaigns, Singh said that he set aside a portion of his agricutlreural income for security deposit and other miscellaneous expenses.

As for his obsession to fight electoral battles even though the writing on the wall was clear, Singh said he wished to eradicate corruption from society.

''After winning the election,'' he said, he wanted to set an example for the country's politicians, who he described as ''mostly corrupt.'' UNI XC JN MS VC2040