At 91, Benudhar Barik is still full of beans with a razor sharp mind to boot. His candidature as an Independent in the Assembly bypoll for Balasore Sadar has added colour to the contest.

Barik, a barber by profession, has caught the imagination of the voters with his energy and simplicity.

While the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) geared up for chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s virtual rally in Balasore Sadar on Thursday, Barik carried on with his campaign unfazed by the hype surrounding the ruling party’s event.

“Why should I be perturbed? I have nothing to fear or lose. People have seen the BJD, BJP and the Congress. They have all ruled the state but nobody did anything for the development of the poor.

“People realise this. If they still don’t vote for me, it is their loss. If they elect me, they will have someone who will genuinely fight for them.

“This has been my campaign promise. They will decide whether they will vote for misrule and black money or me who is committed to their welfare,” Barik, the oldest candidate in the fray, told The Telegraph.

Benudhar at work. Telegraph picture

Balasore Sadar along with Tirtol in coastal Odisha will go to polls on November 3.

The rebellious streak in Barik has been visible since childhood.

He had joined the Quit India Movement (1942) when he was only 12. Balasore district was one of the epicentres of the movement.

Barik, who lives in a hut at Gudipada in Balasore town, hits the campaign trail early in the morning following a breakfast of two rotis and tea.

“I drink tea a number of times while campaigning.

“Because of my age, I am careful about what I eat. But I love tea and have it 10 to 12 times in a day. I also carry puffed rice with me,” said Barik, who incidentally has the kettle as his election symbol.

He campaigns either in an autorickshaw that his supporters have hired for him or on his rusty but faithful bicycle.

His supporters even donated Rs 10,000 required as security deposit to contest the polls.

Barik is still active as a barber. “I came to Balasore in 1945 from my village, Bishnupur, which is around 30km from the town. Since then, I have been plying my trade as a barber, giving people haircuts and shaving their beards.”

“Lockdown was the only time when I faced some problems. I still manage to earn Rs 50 to Rs 100 per day,” said Barik, who has no formal education but can read and write Odia.

“What is most important is that I can understand the feelings and problems of people, especially the poor. Life has taught me a lot,” he added.

With no shop or saloon of his own, he plies his tradenear the railway line with his customers sitting on a stone slab under a tree.

He feels secure on the family front with both his daughters and his only son already married.

One of his supporters, advocate Manoj Nayak, secretary of the Bar association of Balasore, said: “Support for Benu uncle has been increasing day by day. Even intellectuals, social activists and Rani Panda, a popular name in the Odia film industry, have been campaigning for him.”

“We have decided to support him as we have seen him working for the poor and the underprivileged for years. He has led agitation for land rights of the people, for proper water supply tothe 56 slums in Balasore district and other similar issues.

“He has unsuccessfully contested a ward council election in the past. We are paying the Rs 1,500 for his campaign autorickshaw every day. He is getting the support of all sections,” Nayak said.