Shailesh Verma campaigns in Jamshedpur (West) on Tuesday. (Bhola Prasad)

Jamshedpur, Nov. 18: Till recently, he was known as a teacher and director of a coaching institute. A few weeks hence, he hopes to be called an MLA.

Shailesh Verma (31) is contesting the Assembly elections from Jamshedpur (West) constituency and will compete with heavyweights like Sarayu Roy and Banna Gupta.

He knows that winning the polls will be tough when pitted against veteran politicians and thus has adopted conventional door-to-door campaigning to woo voters. During his campaign, his slogan is “Aitihaasik parivartan ki ghadi ab nahi to kabhi nahi. (The time for change is now or never).”

“Advertising will be costly and I don’t have so much money to spare. Political heavyweights have party support and its funds but whatever I am doing is from my own pocket. Things are difficult but not impossible,” said a confident Verma.

The teacher, who is popular among his students, is focussing on the intellectuals of the constituency, hoping they will back him.

A Physics honours graduate from Jamshedpur Co-operative College, Verma’s daily routine revolves around his institute, MIIT-JEE, and campaigning. After elaborate discussions to plan his campaign strategy, he sets out on his mission at 3.30pm which extends till 11 pm almost everyday.

He has already campaigned in residential areas of Sonari and Mango. Today, with his election manifesto in hand that reads, “Jharkhand ki poori vyavastha naaki fail ho chuki hai balki reverse gear mein chal rahi hai (The whole system in Jharkhand has not only failed but is moving in reverse gear),” he was seen campaigning at Sonari market.

“The decision to join politics was not taken one fine morning. When my father, a Tata Steel employee for 24 years, passed away I was not given a job at the company. I was disheartened and started teaching to make ends meet. Though the formation of Jharkhand gave rise to new hope, nothing happened in reality,” he lamented.

“I thought I will do something for my people when I attain a responsible position,” said Verma, whose campaign focus has been on education and health.