Her colourful ‘bindis’, chunky earrings and impassioned speeches have livened up the contest in Gandhinagar, the constituency of L K Advani.  Dancer-actor Mallika Sarabhai has surprised everyone by entering the political theatre as an Independent. She is fighting Advani because “the opponent should be worth fighting”, she tells Radha Sharma. 



Why should people vote for you? 

I am a Gujarati native while Advani is an outsider. I have spent 52 years in this constituency. I have a doctorate, I do not know about his education. He believes in India of Hindus, I believe in India of Indians. I am 54 years young, he is 81 years old. Age is on my side. 

So age is an issue in this election? 

Absolutely! I am 30-odd years younger to him and can dream, think and work towards a future. 



What is people’s reaction to you as a political candidate? 

People are curious about me, but once I start talking to them, they warm up. Many ask me if there is a hung parliament and my vote is a decisive one, who will I vote for. I tell them I will seek their referendum through SMS. 



There was talk you would contest the election on a Congress ticket. 

I have been wooed by different parties, the first being by Rajiv Gandhi in 1984. I decided to be an Independent as both leading parties are not free from corruption. But I am open to any party which supports my ideology. 



What’s your ideology? 

I am fighting for transparency in the system. I do not believe in making people wear your masks. Masks are a way of saying only you exist, people do not. 



Between Congress and BJP, take a pick. 

Congress, as I believe in non-communalism. 



Advani seems to be your main target... 

It is an honour that I am contesting against a PM-in-waiting. The opponent should be worth fighting. 



You have also challenged Advani to a public debate. 

People need to know what has he done for Gujarat. In fact, I am going to pose five questions to him every week. 



You declaration says you don’t own a car, your jewellery collection is worth just Rs 5,000. 

I pick jewellery from the street for just a few rupees.