Himaval Bhadrananda, the ‘gun swami’ (thokku swami), who created headlines by pointing a pistol at himself inside a police station, has now manifested in a political avatar to “to change the face of Kollam”.
The controversial godman had entered the Aluva police station in May 2008 with a pistol and had threatened to shoot himself because news reports has termed him a fraud.
The police had managed to overpower and stop him from going ahead with his plans.
After staying away from the public eye for three long years, Bhadrananda emerged last week, launching a party named Himaval Democratic Party and announcing plans to field candidates against political bigwigs, which includes Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan in Malampuzha.
However, the 29-year-old godman then scaled down his ambitions (he didn’t take into account the poll expenses) and limited his political venture to Kollam, “from where I will start my work,” he says.
His party is fielding V. Mohan, spouse of late local Congress leader Leelamani, in the constituency.
“Mohan has filed his nomination papers before the retuning officer in the Kollam Collectorate this afternoon,” Bhadrananda told mediapersons. “We have the support of youth who want a change in the politics of power and selfishness.”
Bhadrananda, who is the president of the party, said he would not contest the polls as “saints have no desire to have power; they are just showing the way”.