Developement challenge for Dimple Yadav in Kannauj

KANNAUJ: What Grasse (perfume capital of world) is to France, Kannauj is to India. But this constituency, despite being represented by SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Dimple Yadav, depicts a picture of neglect.
The 'attar' town, known to be SP bastion, as it has won seven of the last 14 Lok Sabha elections, stands out as the poor cousin of Etawah and Mainpuri in terms of facilities and infrastructure.It lacks even basic amenities, including road and electricity facilities.
The majority of development works like setting up of industrial estate and corn-based starch and bi-product manufacturing unit were announced just few months before the Lok Sabha election.
As stage gets set for election on April 24, development certainly seems to be a dominant role in Kannauj.
Dimple, who had won the last bypolls without any competition, this time is vying for a space in the heart of the electorate through development plank. In a recent election meeting, she promised voters an overall development of the constituency and claimed to bring it on the map of the developed cities of the state.
Her husband and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav too tried to woo voters by promising them development of his spouse's constituency. Apprehensive of voters' backlash, Dimple, is now being promoted by the family members from her paternal side including her father RCS Rawat. They are campaigning in the area with a message that 'Give Dimple another chance, things would be improved in future'.
Leading'attar' exporters of the town raised the issue of bad roads in Kannauj and claimed that poor infrastructure is hampering the growth of perfume industry.
Reports said the state government had initiated many road related projects, including the stretch between Saifai and Mainpuri, which is to be widened to 45 metres. The primary widening of road, at present is underway, however, projects to upgrade old GT Road connecting 'attar' town with other bordering towns are pending for reasons best known to the authorities. Due to this, people have a hard time commuting through the region.
"I wish chief minister should move with us on the roads of Kannauj in a four-wheeler and that would certainly give him a better feeling of how bad roads are in his wife's constituency," said leading 'attar' exporter Faisal Khan. He claimed that poor infrastructure is hampering the growth of perfume industry. "Every election, politicians promise to sort out our problems and develop the area, but once the poll is over, all is forgotten," he added.
Saifullah, another 'attar' exporter, blamed ruling party for giving Kannauj a step-motherly treatment. He said, "Kannauj is a gifted town as it has hard working people. 'Attar' for which the town is famous worldwide and also used in masala/gutka industry, is facing a tough time following SC ruling. It is also used in 'agarbatti' manufacturing, has high demand in cosmetics industry. Earlier, we used to get even 20-22 hours of power supply, which has now dipped to 8-10 hours. Though distillation of perfume does not involve electricity, other activities related to making perfume do. It's a battle of survival for the industry."
Vyomkesh Chauhan, an owner of a cold storage said that during the coming Lok Sabha elections, majority of people will vote for those candidates who will give a facelift to Kannauj's image.
"As potato is the prominent crop in the region, we were assured by SP leaders that after coming to power, potato-based industries would be set up in the region to boost the economy and lessen the burden on 'attar' industry but to no avail," he rued.
SP MLA Vijay Bahadur Pal denied the allegations of discrimination. He said the SP had worked hard for overall development of the district.
Nirmal Tewari, who is in fray on BSP ticket, agreed that development was the main issue. "If we win this seat held by the SP, we will ensure that stalled development projects are renewed," he said. He, however, blamed the SP for neglecting the area's development.