A day after the nomination process for the February 15 election was over, the parties in the poll fray are now engaged in door-to-door campaigning aside from going for the public meetings. The activists are flooding several areas of Dehradun with the party flags, banners and flexes to catch the fancy of the voters.
Raipur Assembly constituency areas were abuzz with political activities with the candidates of various political parties aside from the independents conducting door to door campaigning during the morning hours.
A total of 20 candidates remaining in the fray in Raipur Assembly constituency, the main contest is expected to be between Umesh Sharma Kau of BJP and the Congress candidate Prabhu lal Bahuguna.
However, the presence of the rebel Congress leader Rajni Rawat as an independent adds further interest to the contest. Besides, they are not pleased with Kau who was disqualified as the MlA after he rebelled against the Congress and switched to BJP. They said they were at the receiving end of the rebellion with development works remaining stuck due to the non-existence of the MlA for months.
However, Kau is trying all means to assuage the anger of the electors through door to door campaigning. He was found wandering around Sundarwala area in Shanti Vihar, Raipur Ring Road and Pulia number-6, appealing for votes.
He claimed that he was instrumental in making roads in several localities under MlA lAD fund and other sources. Besides, he claimed to have succeeded in shifting high power tension wire from several localities under MlA lad fund. He claimed that he was least worried about his victory with the people knowing him well. “I am never found wanting in responding to the people’s problems,” he said.
However, an elderly woman Sharda Bisht from Shanti Vihar differed. She said the BJP candidate Kau and some Independent candidates had approached her on Saturday.
“But I am disenchanted with them all. They come in their hordes during the electioneering and turn their backs on us once the election is over. We are grappling with several problems like crumbling roads and erratic power supply,” she said. Asked who she would vote this time, she said she was yet to decide. “However, I am assuring all those who are approaching me,” she said, smiling.
Anil Semwal, resident of Shivlok Colony, Raipur, cited the problem of high power tension wire hanging precariously over the road of the locality. “Kau promised to shift the wire, but he was himself disqualified, leaving us in the lurch,” he added.