Barely two weeks left for the Assembly polls in the State, Haridwar with 11 seats - the highest for a district in the State - is abuzz with political activities with the big wigs across the political spectrum flocking here to canvass for votes. The principal rivals - Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party - are competing with one another in staging road shows and setting election offices in the nooks and corners of the district.
On Monday, the BJP launched a road show in support of the BJP Haridwar Urban candidate Madan Kaushik that culminated at Har-ki-Pauri. Youths donning orange- coloured caps with ‘Madan Kaushik’ printed on one side and name of the party on the other were heard crying ‘victory’ for their candidate.
A straight fight in the offing for the important seat between Congress candidate Brahmswaroop Brahmchari and BJP’s Madan Kaushik, the Congress nominee launched his election campaign by setting up an office in Krishnanagar. It was followed by a road show. Not to be left behind, BJP also staged a road show that started from Shivmurti and ended in Har Ki Pauri. Those canvassing votes for Madan Kaushik are shrugging off Brahmswaroop Brahmachari as no match for the "popular appeal of the three-time BJP MlA”.
Kaushik echoed the same, dubbing him as one out of place with the rough and tumble of the electoral politics. “Politics is not Maharaj’s cup of tea. I have been with the people for years, sharing their aspirations and extending a helping hand when they are in trouble. It is not for nothing that I am being re-elected from this seat in successive elections,” he said. However, Brahmswaroop appears unfazed by such barbs, maintaining that he is set to wrest the seat, riding on the affection he is receiving from the people. Kaushik visited Bhimgauda settlement after the road show was finished. He assured the problems the shack dwellers are facing would be solved soon. The Congress candidate too is making contact with the electorate while appealing to them to elect him this time to show the door to the BJP’s incumbent MlA who is allegedly indifferent to the development of the constituency.
