From Labourer to MLA: Kamleshwar Dodiyar’s Remarkable Journey to Victory in MP

Bhopal: Kamleshwar Dodiyar, the newly elected Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Sailana in Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, has emerged as a symbol of resilience and grassroots leadership. Despite hailing from a humble background and facing financial challenges, Dodiyar, who contested from the reserved tribal seat under the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP), secured victory in the recent elections.

Born in Radha Kua village in Sailana constituency, Dodiyar’s journey to the state assembly was marked by determination and hard work. His family resides in a mud house, and his mother, working as a labourer and selling eggs, contributed to funding his initial education. Dodiyar, in turn, worked as a labourer and delivered tiffins in Delhi while pursuing his Bachelor of Arts and LLB from Delhi University.

Undeterred by setbacks, Dodiyar initially contested as an independent candidate in the 2018 Assembly elections but faced defeat. Subsequently, he ventured into the 2019 Lok Sabha polls with similar results. However, in a turning point, Dodiyar joined the newly formed Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) and, in the elections held on November 17, secured a victory with 71,219 votes, defeating both the Congress and BJP candidates.

The BAP, dedicated to addressing the needs of tribal communities, was formed in September by MLAs Rajkumar Roat and Ramprasad Dindor. Dodiyar’s triumph in Sailana, the only seat won by a party other than the BJP or Congress in the 230-member Assembly, reflects the party’s commitment to advocating for the welfare of tribal communities.

Dodiyar’s journey to submit documents to the Assembly secretariat in Bhopal after his election is emblematic of his commitment, as he covered a distance of over 300 km on a motorcycle due to the unavailability of a four-wheeler. Despite his economic challenges, Dodiyar aims to focus on improving the lives of the disadvantaged and ensuring the effective implementation of government schemes.

In his own words, “I am certainly very poor, but I want to do good work for the disadvantaged. I will work honestly and earnestly to ensure the government’s schemes are implemented.” The Bharat Adivasi Party, with its emphasis on tribal welfare, environmental concerns, and clean energy, seeks to bring about positive change for current and future generations.