As it is diverse in its geographic character combining hilly terrain with the Terai and Bhawar regions, so is the socio-political fabric of the Nainital-Udhamsinghnagar parliamentary constituency. Yet, interestingly, the electorate of this lok Sabha seat has not maintained that variety in its electoral verdicts, supporting the Congress Party in as many as nine times out of 12 lok Sabha polls held since 1951. However, former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and senior Congress leader ND Tiwari's decision not to contest election has given a sign of relief to the Baba also. However, Congress Party candidate, descendant of erstwhile royal family KC Singh Baba, who is popularly known as Raja Saheb among his supporters, is confident of his victory. Yet, he does not take the electoral battle lightly. While speaking to Rajendra S Markuna, he shared his strategy about how to counter opposition allegations. Excerpts:
There are reports that former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand ND Tiwari has made it clear that he would not contest lok Sabha election from the Nainital- Udhamsinghnagar seatIJ How do you take itIJ
I heard through the media that ex-CM ND Tiwari is not contesting election from this seat. It was media only which had played the story that Tiwariji may contest lok Sabha election. I take him as my political 'guru'. Even during his visit to Kashipur, he did not give any such indication. He is a senior Congressman and a mass leader. I will seek his blessings.
Senior Congress leader ND Tiwari is reported to be upset the way the Congress Party has been treating him. As his close aides indicated, Tiwari was not even once asked by Congress leaders before finalising ticket for this seatIJ
I am not aware about these developments. But as I said, he is our leader. So I cannot say much on this issue.The BJP has fielded its senior leader and ex-CM Bhagat Singh Koshiyari from this seat.
How seriously do you take himIJ
I have been a sportsperson. So I never take my opponent lightly. As time changes so do things. So I take everything that comes my way seriously. I have worked hard for my constituency. Therefore, the people of my constituency would support me and my party in the upcoming elections.
What would be your priority if people give their mandate to you once againIJ
To ensure implementation of many long-pending projects will be my top priority if people give me another chance to serve them.The matter of concern is that many development projects for this constituency have been approved by the Government of India. But the previous State Government did little to give concrete shape to these long pending developmental works. Therefore, my main focus will be to ensure speedy implementation of the long pending projects.
So apart from expediting the implementation process of many long-pending development projects, what you have in store for the electorate of this lok Sabha constituencyIJ
Among a host of other measures, this time now my priority is to improve transportation services. I am planning to improve connectivity by introducing ropeways in different parts of my constituency. Nainital-Udhamsinghnagar is also known for its huge agricultural potential. Therefore, swift and modern means of transportation may come in handy in giving necessary cushion to the agriculture sector and help the farmers and traders do their business well.
You have been representing the Nainital-Udhamsinghnagar lok Sabha constituency for two consecutive terms. How confident are you this time to maintain your winning streakIJ
I am full of confidence to retain my seat in the upcoming lok Sabha elections too. The common people have always supported the Congress Party for its people friendly programmes and policies. So this time too, the electorate of my constituency would understand what the Congress has done for the people and once again would lend their support to me and my party.
The Congress party has been at the helm of affairs at the Centre for nearly a decade and it is now also in power in the state. The anti-incumbency factor may go against the ruling party this time in the upcoming lok Sabha elections. Are you not afraidIJ
It is the role of Opposition parties to criticise the Government and ruling party and to be against the establishment. Otherwise, there is no such factor. We have been receiving good response from the people on the ground in different segments of my parliamentary constituency.
The Congress party seems to have turned out to be a divided house as has been witnessed during distribution of tickets for all the five lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand. So how worried are you with factionalism within the party in these electionsIJ
There is no factionalism within the party. The name declaration process for all lok Sabha seats of Uttarakhand is over. Now the focus of the party activists is on poll preparations ahead. The matter of fact is that I am travelling in different pockets of my constituencies and meeting people and party activists. We are receiving overwhelming support from the people and morale of the party workers is quite high. Therefore, Congress workers had worked hard to help the party win elections in the past, so this time they have also started gearing up to take on the challenge ahead.
Among other area specific issues, drinking water crisis has been a serious causes of concern for the people of your constituency, particularly that of Haldwani and its adjacent areas. Is there any plan to resolve the long-pending drinking water crisis that people of your constituency have been facing for longIJ
In a bid to provide immediate relief to the needy, first of all I will take up the matter with local authorities concerned to ensure early restoration of drinking water supply to the people of the affected areas. Besides, we are working on some measures as part of our long term strategy to provide an effective solution to the long pending drinking water crisis.
Unlike some other parliamentary constituencies, caste politics badly dominate the elections in the Nainital- Udhamsinghnagar lok Sabha as past popular verdicts have shown. Despite emphasis by parties on development and good governance, caste and communal politics continue to surface every time. How worried are you with thisIJ
We are for taking all along maintaining social cohesiveness and communal harmony in the society and this has been part and parcel of the Congress party's ideology. We are here to carry forward that legacy of our party. The Congress has always advocated all-round development of every sections of the society and we are committed to continue to work for the people maintain communal harmony and peace.