Contesting an election for the first time, the kurta-clad aspirant for the state assembly is clearly excited.
Wearing a blue shawl, that matches the colour of the RPI flag, Nikhalje sets out on his daily padayatra.
The starting point is Bhim Nagar, a slum cluster, followed by Gautam Nagar.
The crowd cheers, "Here comes Deepakbhau (brother)!"
Both areas have scarce water supply. "There has been a water problem for the past 25 years but no one has done anything. Although the population has increased, there are only six water lines. This needs to change," says Nikhalje.
Most of the residents are Dalits, whom the RPI claims to represent.
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