At 6 a.m., the clatter of bike tires replaces the rumble of cars on Marh’s main road. The air smells of fresh pavement as Surender Bhagat, the MLA, pedals the first stretch of his daily ride. He covers 15 kilometres by 8 a.m., meeting locals and listening to their dreams, doubts, and complaints. Classic politicians still have their mansions; Bhagat meets people where they live.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on voters to cut fuel use after the West Asia crisis rattled prices and supplies. This appeal has made many state leaders trim their convoy sizes. Surender, however, went further. Instead of shrinking his fleet, he abandoned his vehicle altogether. His gesture hangs in the air of every sling‑wave: smaller, greener, louder.
He once had two escort cars to keep him safe. Now he is chased by a single security officer on a bicycle. For longer distances he rides an electric van and keeps a single escort car for backup. The contrast is stark. No more chrome, no more exhaust hiss, just the hum of a motor and, sometimes, a radio tuned to local updates. Even the convoy’s silence feels political.
What does it mean? By ditching the car, Bhagat forces voters to reconsider mobility itself. People see an MLAs who ride their daily commute; the idea that a bike can be as clean, as fast, and as respectful of the planet as a car starts to spread. This could push local bus routes to pick up riders who once preferred private cars. On the policy front, a visible
