IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED, TRY AGAIN
It takes courage to run for public office, especially when you have no name recognition and the odds are stacked against you. The chances of winning may seem slim, but without trying, you have no chance at all.
Few political candidates have won every race they’ve contested. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, for example, lost two elections before winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016. Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal lost his first bid for the governorship in 2003, served two terms in Congress, then made history as the first Indian-American governor in 2007.
Losing an election or two is nothing compared to the losses that Shyam Babu Subudhi of Odisha, India, has suffered in his political career. Running as an independent since 1962, he has lost 32 times in his bid for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and state assembly seats.
Vying again for several seats this year, Subudhi is indefatigable. “I campaign on my own in trains, buses, and at markets,” he told news agency ANI. “It does not matter whether I win or lose. I have to continue the fight.”
Compiled and partly written by Indian humorist MELVIN DURAI, author of the novel Bala Takes the Plunge.
[Comments? Contributions? We would love to hear from you about Chai Time. If you have contributions, please email us at melvin@melvindurai.com. We welcome jokes, quotes, online clips, and more.]
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