Stirred by poverty in villages and rising fuel prices, a candidate has decided shun the use of costly vehicles and is seeking votes by riding a buffalo in the Basti Sadar assembly constituency of Uttar Pradesh, which goes to polls next month.
Elections in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases from February 8 to March 3.
Prajatantrik Congress Party candidate Ghamalu Chaudhary said: "I am campaigning while sitting on a buffalo. The prices of petrol and diesel are at its peak. The big politicians from the big parties are campaigning while sitting in luxury cars, but I am working alongside the poor people and I have seen their poverty, and thus, I am campaigning by sitting on a buffalo."
While some villagers and residents said they were impressed by Chaudhary's novel way of connecting with the people, others described it as a publicity gimmick.
Divakar Sharma, a villager, said: "Those who are campaigning in costly cars would remain bound to those cars. But by campaigning on a buffalo, he (Chaudhary) is reaching out to every individual and spreading his message. We are sure that he will work for the area's development if he gets elected for five years."
The assembly polls in five states are being seen as an opportunity for major political parties to re-establish or strengthen their foothold ahead of the 2014 general elections.