Nagarmal Bajoria Dies at 97: Bihar’s ‘Dhartipakad’ Contested Over 280 Elections

Nagarmal Bajoria, popularly known as ‘Dhartipakad’ for his extraordinary record of contesting elections, died in Patna on Thursday at the age of 97. Bajoria contested more than 280 elections during his lifetime, including the 1969 presidential election, making him one of India’s most recognisable perennial election candidates. His final rites are scheduled to be held in Bhagalpur, where his last journey will culminate at the Barari cremation ground on the banks of the Ganga, India Today reported.

Nagarmal Bajoria - From Lahore to Bhagalpur

Bajoria was born in Lahore in 1930, when the city was part of British India. His family moved to Bhagalpur in Bihar before Independence, where he later established himself as a businessman and social worker. Elections, however, became a defining part of his public life. His political career stretched from local elections to contests for the country’s highest constitutional offices.  DY Patil Dies: Maharashtra Educationist and Former Governor Passes Away at 90, PM Narendra Modi Expresses Grief.

Contesting Elections Became His Identity

Bajoria began his electoral journey at the local level. India Today reported that he won a Bhagalpur municipal election in 1960, when he was around 30 years old. Other accounts of his life have also noted this victory, meaning descriptions of him as someone who never won an election are not entirely accurate.

Over the following decades, he repeatedly entered electoral contests, eventually becoming known as ‘Dhartipakad’. Reports differ slightly on the exact number of elections he contested, with figures ranging from 281 to 284, but accounts consistently place the total above 280. Alka Kerkar Dies: Former Mumbai Deputy Mayor and BJP Leader Passes Away at 74.

Took on Prominent Political Leaders

Bajoria contested elections against several of India’s most prominent political figures. His electoral opponents included former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, as well as leaders such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, Sanjay Gandhi and Pranab Mukherjee.

In 1969, he also entered the presidential election, in which VV Giri was among the candidates. His decision to contest the presidential poll reflected the unusual breadth of his electoral ambitions.

‘He Contested to Open Voters’ Eyes’

According to his grandson Saurav Bajoria, Nagarmal did not necessarily enter elections with the expectation of winning. “He contested to open voters’ eyes,” Saurav said, explaining that his grandfather wanted to demonstrate that an ordinary citizen could also participate in the country’s biggest democratic contests. This approach made Bajoria a familiar figure during election seasons and gave him a distinctive place in India’s electoral history.

Final Chapter

Bajoria died in Patna on Thursday. His mortal remains were brought to Bhagalpur, and his final rites are scheduled there. While the precise count of his election contests varies across accounts, his record of repeatedly entering elections over several decades remains the central feature of his public life. His career also reflected a long-standing belief in participating in the electoral process, irrespective of the outcome.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2026 03:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).