The Unwavering Independent: 13 Elections, Zero Wins
In a remarkable display of political persistence, independent candidate Neetu Shatranwala faced his thirteenth electoral defeat on Friday, failing to secure victory in the Tarn Taran constituency bypoll. The 40-year-old shutter manufacturer and content creator managed to gather only 464 votes in his latest attempt to enter electoral politics.
This defeat marks another chapter in Shatranwala's long history of unsuccessful electoral bids, which includes municipal polls and assembly elections across various constituencies in Punjab. Interestingly, the NOTA (None of the Above) option received 609 votes, outperforming the independent candidate by a significant margin.
A Common Man's Struggle Against Mainstream Politics
Speaking to media after the bypoll results were declared, Shatranwala expressed his disappointment with voters who continue to favor mainstream political parties. "Voters continue to chase mainstream parties and do not give space to a common man who wants to serve them," he lamented, highlighting the challenges faced by independent candidates in India's party-dominated political landscape.
Despite his repeated losses, Shatranwala displayed his characteristic dramatic flair following the defeat. Rather than expressing bitterness, he chose to sing a song against the drug menace in Punjab and later demanded the revocation of the Tarn Taran SSP's suspension.
The Journey of Political Perseverance
Neetu Shatranwala's political journey began attracting significant attention during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when he contested from Jalandhar and received only 856 votes. That defeat saw him crying publicly and blaming EVM machines while vowing never to contest again.
However, his determination proved stronger than his initial disappointment. He went on to contest multiple elections including:
- The 2019 Phagwara Vidhan Sabha bypoll in October
- The 2022 assembly polls from Mullanpur Dakha constituency
- The 2023 Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll in May following Congress MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh's death
- The 2023 Jalandhar West assembly bypoll in July where he secured only 236 votes
- The 2024 Lok Sabha election from Jalandhar where he received 1,879 votes
- The June 2025 Ludhiana West bypoll where he stepped outside his home turf to secure only 112 votes
Remarkably, Shatranwala maintains a substantial social media presence with over 84,000 Instagram followers and 1,74,000 YouTube subscribers, demonstrating that his message resonates with some segments of the population despite his poor electoral performance.
Education Never Stopped His Determination
In his conversation with The Indian Express, Shatranwala revealed his educational background, stating, "I am not well read as I never went to school after class 3, but I have the will to serve the society." His words underscore his commitment to public service despite personal limitations.
The resident of Jalandhar North, who belongs to a reserved category, emphasized that his mission extends beyond electoral victories. "I will fight against drugs, for better job opportunities, education whether I win elections or not," he declared, showcasing his dedication to social causes regardless of political outcomes.
True to his resilient character, Shatranwala confirmed that this thirteenth defeat wouldn't be his last attempt. "This was my 13th election, I got defeated but... I will contest again," he asserted, proving that for some candidates, the fight matters more than the victory.
