Kumar Vishwas: The poet-turned-politician challenges Rahul

New Delhi: “Koi Deewana Kehta Hai, Koi Paagal Samajhta Hai; Magar Dharti Ki Bechaini Ko Bas Baadal Samajhta Hai” – Kumar VishwasIn this country, those who know politics well also know how difficult it is for anybody to challenge the Congress scion Rahul Gandhi in his fiefdom of Amethi.But Kumar Vishwas, the poet-turned-politician, is one man who believes in taking the bull by the horn. A fiery poet who excels in penning patriotic poems, Vishwas has applied for an AAP ticket from Amethi Lok Sabha constituency and has already taken the battle to the streets of Amethi even before his candidature gets approval from the AAP's highest decision making body.On January 12, the birthday of Swami Vivekanand , Kumar Vishwas held a rally in Amethi and openly challenged Rahul Gandhi's perceived hegemony and Congress brand of dynastic politics. These are early days but he has already made the first move and the Congress vice president may not consider the seat a cakewalk anymore as Kumar Vishwas has openly raised Rahul's indifference to the real issues of the people of Amethi. According to political pundits, when Sheila Dikshit can be shown the door after three terms as Delhi CM, nothing can be ruled out in Amethi as well.So who is this Kumar Vishwas?Born on 10 February 1970 in a Gaur Brahmin family in UP, Kumar Vishwas is a renowned Hindi poet who has recently joined active politics along with Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. He can be termed as the founder member of Aam aadmi Party (AAP).Born to Dr. Chandra Pal Sharma, lecturer in R.S.S. Degree College and Smt. Rama Sharma , Kumar is the youngest among four brothers and a sister. He did Post Graduation and Ph.D in Hindi Literature.A professor by profession, Dr Vishwas is also involved in writing Scripts, Lyrics and Stories for Indian Film Industry.Kumar has written numerous patriotic and romantic poems in his career. His poems ‘Koi Deewana Kehta Hai' and ‘Hotho Par Ganga Ho, Hatho me Tiranga Ho' have been widely appreciated by the audience. Kumar Vishwas is a childhood friend of another senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia. Kumar Vishwas and Manish Sisodia used to play together in Ghaziabad where they spent their childhood. It was Sisodia who introduced him to Arvind Kejriwal in 2006. Vishwas used to write articles for Sisodia's magazine ‘Apna-Panna' and Kejriwal was already in touch with Sisodia by that time.Friendship with Sisodia and Kejriwal encouraged Kumar to join ‘India Against Corruption (IAC)' movement and one thing followed another.Kumar Vishwas joined Anna's Janlokpal movement alongwith Arvind and Manish. When Arvind Kejriwall parted ways with Anna Hazare and floated a new political party Aam aadmi Party (AAP), Kumar Vishwas sided with Arvind and became a member of AAP. Today, he is one of the core members of party's national executive. He is also one of the close confidants of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.It remains to be seen whether the fiery poet-turned-politician will succeed in causing a major upset In India's electoral history by doing an Arvind Kejriwal in Amethi. If he does, he will repeat the history of 1977, when Janata Party's Ravindra Pratap Singh defeated the scion of Gandhi family Sanjay Gandhi by 75,000 votes soon after Emergency. But his courage and commitments gives ample indications that it's going to be a very interesting contest in Amethi this time.