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Bikaner, Apr 25: Four transfers in as many months' set Arjun Ram Meghwal's mind thinking that he should step down as a public servant and join active politics.

After allegations against him by some Congress people during the last assembly polls in the state, which led to his transfer mid way during the polls as the collector of Churu and later the attitude of Congress government set this bureaucrat's mind thinking.

"While allegations by some notorious minds led to my transfer, later the team sent by the Election Commission in their report cleared my name stating that the charges couldn't be proved. So this sets the pace for me," says Meghwal.

He said, "After the change of government, I would see my name in every transfer list and precisely was transferred four times in four months, which led to this decision."

He maintains that he didn't approach the saffron brigade for a ticket and after delimitation when the seat was reserved for an SC candidate people from the region pushed his name as he was a local.

Being a political novice, he feels works in his favour. "My record in the services where I walked up the ladder from beginning in the telecom department as an operator to the rank of an IAS speaks about my ability and is there for the people to see."

Top on his priority list are infrastructure development, improvement of healthcare and transport system, which includes the issue of railway over bridge, tops the chart. A non-political figure who is known as a marriage man' in the city for he has been organising mass weddings for girls in his Meghwal community for over 10 years in the memory of his daughter Bhawna has won him many praises even outside the community.

A kite seller in the Kote Gate area of the Walled City, Rafiqe Khan who calls him shaadi karane waala' (marriage organiser) says, "That is a great work he does for his people and it speaks well about the man." But Meghwal prefers not to talk much about it. "This is something that I have been doing over the years and is very personal."

As his opponents raise the issue of Bollywood actor Dharmendra's absence from the region, he hits back admitting the drawback. "We agree that he didn't come to his constituency many times after winning, but something that people completely ignore is the fact that he is one of the few Parliamentarians who has utilised the entire MPLAD fund (Rs 2 crore per year) for various projects in healthcare development like buying specialised equipment or for the development of facilities in the trauma centre."

He's currently touring the rural areas, but feels that the city votes will make a difference. On Friday morning before leaving for Kolayat region, the erstwhile princess and MLA from Bikaner East Siddhi Kumari joined Meghwal as they attended a gathering early morning in Chotina Kuan area of the city. While Meghwal left for Kolayat, Siddhi Kumari campaigned for him in the area. "I feel he is the right candidate. He's from Bikaner and with his experience in the services knows how to get the work done. I am confident of his success," she says. Will he be able to administer the votes is something to be seen.