Nagpur: A 72-year-old former corporator in Nagpur, who was once the chairman of the civic body's standing committee, now works as a security guard at a city-based institution of which he was a trustee in the past.
A Congress activist, Devrao Tijare started working as a security guard to financially support his family.
Mr Tijare first became a corporator in 1985 from Shanti Nagar ward of the city. In 1991, he became the chairman of the standing committee of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and trustee of the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT). He was elected corporator for the second time in 2002 from the same ward as an NCP candidate.
Talking to ETV Bharat, Mr Tijare said that veteran politician Datta Meghe was his godfather in politics.
Rao said, "My family has been struggling to meet ends meet for the past few months. In order to support them, I decided to work as a private security guard."
When asked why he was working as a security guard after being in politics for so long, Mr Tijare said, "I have to do this due to the financial constraints and to support my family. I have been working as a security guard for the last 4 to 5 years. I earn around Rs 7,000 per month."
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He said he used to get commission through property deals earlier. But since the real estate sector was going through difficult times, he had to turn to this profession. Mr Tijare said he is still a Congress member and actively involved in politics.
Asked if he wished to contest local elections again, the ex-Congress leader added, "If I am given an opportunity to contest polls, I would love to do that. If the party gives me responsibilities, I would do it whole-heartedly."
"I work as a guard at night and carry out my political commitments during the day," he said.
Talking about his family, Rao said, "I am working day and night to raise money for my children's education. My wife is also working. My elder daughter is married and the other two (one daughter and a son) are still studying and I want them to complete their education."
Dnyanesh, Rao's son, said, "I wanted to join politics like my father. But now our family has decided that no one will step into politics seeing the present scenario."
With PTI inputs
