In a powerful challenge to the dominance of money and muscle in Indian politics, a 33-year-old civil engineer in Pune has stepped into the electoral arena, driven by years of grassroots work with marginalised communities. Ashwini Khairnar, who lives by choice in a rented one-room house in the low-income Upper Indiranagar settlement, is contesting as an independent candidate from Ward 39, Upper Super Indiranagar.
From Corporate Cubicle to Community Organiser
Khairnar's journey is a stark departure from the conventional path for an engineering graduate. After completing her civil engineering degree from Mumbai's Sardar Patel College of Engineering and even clearing government services, she found her calling elsewhere. She worked in the IT sector for two years before quitting in 2019 to dedicate herself fully to social work in Pune's slums and low-income settlements.
"I realised that people's struggles and their daily problems are not part of any education. Even basic services require enormous effort for them," Khairnar explained, reflecting on her decision. When asked why she didn't pursue a lucrative corporate career, her answer was profound: "If we can't stop the exploitation of our own people, what is the point of education at all?"
Grassroots Work as the Foundation of Her Campaign
Khairnar's campaign is built on a solid record of community action, not empty promises. Her work has touched the everyday lives of residents in significant ways:
- Securing a school bus for slum children who faced expensive auto-rickshaw fares, a situation that had led to school dropouts.
- Fighting for clean water by pressuring authorities when sewage got mixed with the drinking water supply.
- Helping residents obtain essential certificates and licenses.
- Organising construction and domestic workers, educating them about their rights and fighting contractor exploitation.
"Party candidates often ask for votes because that's all they can do when they haven't worked for people. I believe my work will earn those votes," she stated confidently.
A Trowel Against a Tide of Money Power
The contrast between her campaign and those of well-funded rivals could not be more striking. While opponents deploy fleets of vehicles with blaring loudspeakers, Khairnar's entire campaign runs on a single auto-rickshaw announcing her candidature. Her election symbol—a plastering trowel—reflects her hands-on, grassroots approach.
Facing a ward with a population of nearly 70,000, about 70% of whom are from working-class or low-income groups, her mission extends beyond just winning. "Many are unaware of their basic rights or what the government owes them. When we protest for them, we also make them politically aware so that they can stand up for themselves," she said.
Her campaign, entirely crowdfunded, aims to shatter the myth that elections are solely the domain of the wealthy. "We want people to believe that if you work honestly for the public, even ordinary citizens can contest elections and win," Khairnar asserted, undeterred by the challenges.
Ashwini Khairnar's story is a testament to the power of conviction, proving that meaningful change often begins not in halls of power, but in the steadfast commitment to one's community.
