He had brought the Congress Party in the main contest in Hazaribagh after 25 years in 2009. Two-time MlA from Hazaribagh Sadar seat, young and charming Saurav Narayan Singh, a scion of Ramgarh Raj, is confident enough to bring back Hazaribagh parliamentary seat into the bag of Congress. Damodar Pandey was the last Congress man who had won the seat in 1984. Amidst hectic campaign schedule the Congress candidate Saurav talked to The Pioneer and answered all the bitter questions with his everlasting sweet smile. Excerpts:
Survey reports hint bad result for the Congress. What will you say on itIJ
First thing, I do not believe in survey reports. The reports will prove wrong again as it happened in 2004 and 2009. We are going to win this seat this time.
Who will be your nearest rivalIJ
I think it will be Jayant Sinha of BJP.
What is different in 2014 in comparison to 2009 that you are so confidentIJ
In 2009 Congress was fighting alone here. I got only 15 days for campaigning. This time JMM and RJD are supporting me and I got the ticket much in advance. I have always remained in touch with my workers and voters of entire constituency since my last defeat.
How much damage you assess from the anti-incumbency factorIJ
Anti-incumbency factor always plays a major role in elections. Here too there is an anti-incumbency factor and it is against sitting MP Yashwant Sinha whose son is in the battlefield this time.
Some senior leaders of your party are not sharing public platforms with you these days. WhyIJ
Indirectly you are talking about our senior and most respected leader former Minister Manoj Kumar Yadav. Incidentally we have not shared dais during this election till date but he is like my elder brother. He is not only campaigning but working hard to keep the flags of Congress party high in Hazaribagh.
The constituency covers a vast area. What are your plans for different areasIJ
There are two districts in this constituency. I want to develop Hazaribagh and Ramgarh as education hubs and Ramgarh as a satellite city of capital Ranchi by a planned urban development. In Barhi I wish to develop an industrial zone while in Padma agro based small industries. In colliery areas of this constituency ample land and water is available so I would try to have power plants in these areas. For Barkagaon I think that a four-lane road linking Tandwa to Patratu and a power sub-station is the need of the hour. In Mandu a super thermal power station near Konar dam and bringing dam’s water to Hazaribagh
What is your message or promise to the youth votersIJ
I am regularly working to develop Hazaribagh and Ramgarh as education hubs. Job oriented courses and jobs for you in your hometown or nearby places are on the top of my priority list for the youths.