The images of majestic Ganga descending from the hills, spirituality and religion come into one's mind on the mention of Rishikesh. However, the area also assumes significance as it is population is distributed in three districts - Dehradun, Tehri and Pauri -- and two lok Sabha constituencies of Haridwar and Garhwal.
The Ganges divides the Rishikesh town, as one cross the river Ganga one finds oneself in Pauri district and Yamkeshwar Assembly constituency which is part of Garhwal lok Sabha seat. On the other side of Ganga, Rishikesh town is further divided into Rishikesh assembly which is part of Haridwar lok Sabha seat and in Dehradun district and Narendra Nagar assembly constituency which is part of Garhwal seat, but is in Tehri District.
The residents of the town rue that multiple masters are of no use for the area and that they are feeling the pinch of political apathy. local political analysts feel that all political activities of Haridwar lok Sabha constituency are located in 11 assembly constituencies of Haridwar district and Dharampur-Doiwala belt. They said Dharampur being in Dehradun city and Doiwala because of its central location and Jollygrant airport get political attention but Rishikesh because of its geographical location gets less attention. Similarly, in Garhwal lok Sabha seat the political leaders mostly confine them in the assembly constituencies of Pauri, Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts and Narendranagar is neglected by them.
The usual issues of development, education and employment dominate the electorate. The Modi effect is clearly visible but the people are also impressed by the simplicity and personal connectivity of state Chief Minister Harish Rawat. Rishikesh being the starting point of Char Dham Yatra the issues of last year disaster and its management is the talking point of people and politicians of all parties are raking it up. Yudhveer Singh Rawat who runs a restaurant said that business is at bottom as inflow of pilgrims is very low this year. The recent inauguration of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has come as a reprieve for locals who got the institute after years of wait. Anil Baluni, a teacher by profession, said that more experts should be posted at AIIMS so that people of the area benefit from a full fledged medical institute. The revival of Indian Drugs of Pharmaceuticals limited (IDPl) remains the perennial election issue here.
The public sector drug company was once synonymous with Rishikesh is in very bad shape and is a sick unit now. Rajesh Rawat a young professional blamed the central government for not reviving the IDPl and sitting over the rupees 761 crore revival package. The river Ganga which is at heart of every resident of Rishikesh is deeply revered and the people here are very sensitive to maintain its purity and its unabated flow.