In Sambhal, fight is virtually among PM aspirants

Candidates have ignored local issues, say Sambhal residents

April 14, 2014 02:38 am | Updated May 21, 2016 11:07 am IST - SAMBHAL (Uttar Pradesh)

Sambhal Lok Sabha constituency known for its bone-craft, mentha grass and potato production, is witnessing a contest among candidates of the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, who are seeking votes in the name of their party leaders — prime ministerial aspirants.

The SP’s Safiqur Rehman Barq, BSP’s Akhilur Rehman Khan and BJP’s Satyapal Saini during their campaign claim that their party leaders have the strongest chance of leading a coalition at the Centre.

Mr. Barq, the sitting BSP MP, is contesting on SP ticket this time. He is asking people to vote for the SP as the BJP is “communal” and Ms. Mayawati is known to “conveniently ditch her associates and supporters.”

Development motto

“Vote for me if you want to make Mulayam Singh the Prime Minister,” he says in village meetings. His party workers are going door to door trying to convince the voters that Mr. Singh would ensure development of the weakest if made the Prime Minister.

This is countered by Akhilur Rehman Khan, a former Minister, who is telling people that his party chief, Mayawati, is most likely to become the Prime Minister as the NDA may not be able to score the magic number.

The BJP nominee, Satyapal Saini, meanwhile, is confident that Narendra Modi is set to become the Prime Minister and hence, the people should vote for him.

The three candidates, however, have left the voters disappointed as none on them is focusing on problems such as erratic electricity supply, lack of good degree colleges and poor financial condition of artisans and farmers.

‘They’re selling dreams’

“The BJP, SP and BSP nominees are all selling us dreams of what they would do if their leader becomes the Prime Minister, but none has till date raised important local issues such as finalisation of district headquarters, lack of good education centres, hospitals and primary health centres,” said Sumitra Chauhan and Rashmi Saini, both unemployed graduates in Dehapa village.

The Congress is supporting Acharya Pramod Krishnam of Mahan Dal. This godman has little clout in the region. Former MP D.P. Yadav, president of the Rashtriya Parivartan Dal, is also in the fray. Polling in Sambhal is on April 17.

Saleem and Ashraf in Chandausi village said the area could develop faster if the politicians worked for setting up medical and engineering colleges.

Abu Khan from Mehmood Khan Sarai said the youth in the village could become good entrepreneurs if the government established vocational training centres in every block.

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