Salem (India) (AFP) – Despite failing 238 times in his bid for public office in India, K. Padmarajan is unperturbed as he prepares, yet again, to stand for election in the world’s largest democracy. The 65-year-old tyre repair shop owner began fighting elections in 1988 from his home town of Mettur in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Popularly dubbed the “Election King”, Padmarajan has competed across the country in votes ranging from presidential to local polls. The 65-year-old tyre repair shop owner began fighting elections in 1988 from his home town of Mettur in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Popularly dubbed the “Election King”, Padmarajan has competed across the country in elections ranging from presidential to local polls.