To pressurise BJP, which is already down with factional rift in the run-up to the election, a faction of the saint fraternity based in the twin cities — Haridwar and Rishikesh — have asked the party leadership to choose candidates at least for two constituencies — Haridwar and Rishikesh — in accordance with their choice.
More alarmingly for the saffron camp, they said they would do everything to replace the present MlA from Haridwar Madan Kaushik with a more saint-friendly candidate. They said that the party should put up at least five candidates from the saint fraternity in recognition of the fact that they lend support to them in every election.
A faction of saints led by Mahant Vinod Giri has made it clear that Kaushik must be replaced as he has done precious little for the saint community during his tenure. Addressing a Press conference at press club of Haridwar on Tuesday, national president of Sanatan Sant Samaj Samiti, Giri said, “Our voice must count in the selection of candidates as BJP claims to be a saint-friendly party. They milk us to further their political interests, but they hardly do anything worthwhile in the interest of the saint fraternity. This is unfortunate,” he said.
Tearing into Kaushik, he said the condition of the common people is pretty bad. “He is inclined to turn a deaf ear to our pleas. It is thus imaginable where the common people stand,” he said, adding that the city mayor Manoj Garg is no better.
He reminded the BJP that being in sizable number in Kankhal and Haridwar, they are in a position to tilt the balance in Haridwar constituency.