Uttarakhand polls: Tough battle for supremacy in Haridwar constituency

HARIDWAR: Even though anti-incumbency does not seem to be a strong factor against Madan Kaushik, a three-time BJP MLA from the Haridwar city seat, he is locked in a fierce battle with the Congress nominee,

Brahmaswaroop Brahmachari

, who is considered a 'heavyweight' due to his status as a sadhu, closeness to the Congress high command and money power. However, Kaushik is confident of his victory from the same seat the fourth time. This is because of the amount of work he claims to have done during his 15 years tenure. "During the period, Haridwar was elevated to nagar nigam which has greater benefits for the residents. Large amounts were released by the Centre and the state for the Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh fairs largely because I was a Cabinet minister in-charge of the urban development department. The funds helped boost the city's infrastructure," he said. Gas pipeline for supply of LPG which will be functional in the city within a couple of months is, according to him, another of his achievements.

Brahmachari "has done little for the people despite his status," a local resident alleged. He was appointed the first vice-chairman of the state Sanskrit Academy as well as vice-chancellor of Uttarakhand Sanskrit University. He got the two institutions land and building in a short time due to his high connections. But that is all he has done for the city, he said. A Rajya Sabha seat aspirant ever since he came to politics, Brahmachari has been in touch mostly with the party elite and has negligible relationship with the common man. "The common man has no access to Brahmachari's darabar who has to do mostly with national and state-level leaders visiting him in view of his position as the chief of Jai Ram Ashram empire," a Congress worker who would not be identified said, adding "his status and life style are intimidating for a lay man."

Kaushik, on the other hand, is easily available for all people irrespective of their social status. He has dedicated bands of party workers working for him day-in and day-out. "Among the local political leaders, Kaushik is perhaps the only one with such a following among the youth,"

Mahendra Chaddha

, a BJP leader in the constituency said. This is one reason why he won the first election as MLA from Haridwar seat with the highest margin in the state, and has become almost invincible ever since," he added. According to Tejvir Sinngh Tomar, a degree college professor, Kaushik gets votes not only from his party, but from the fringes of the party as well due to his helping and amiable nature." Vimal Kumar, a BJP leader mentioned Kaushik's well worked out poll strategy as a significant factor behind his victory.

Brahmachari allegedly has a few factions opposed to him in his own party. Satpal Brahmachari, who was defeated by Kaushik in the last polls by a few thousand votes, almost revolted on being denied Congress party ticket. Ravish Bhatija, another aspirant for Congress ticket, is in the fray as an independent candidate. Kaushik is assured of BJP's almost full support. Om Prakash Jamadagni demanded BJP ticket from Haridwar as a representative of Kaushik's rival group led by Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank. However, after not getting party nomination, he declared full cooperation with Kaushik thus paving the way for his victory. Congress spokesperson Rajesh Shivpuri denies Brahmachari has any secret enemies in the party. "Brahmachari ji is the party's undisputed leader and the entire party is solidly behind him," he asserted. "He has a vision and is committed to work for the city's comprehensive development, which is the need of the hour. Better healthcare and educational facilities are among his other agenda," Shivpuri said. Brahmachari could not be contacted despite several efforts.

The BJP candidate's claim to victory is based on the Modi factor in the polls and positive effects of demonetisation as well, it was pointed out. Besides, Haridwar seat comprising of 22 wards of the nagar nigam has few Muslim voters. Among its 1.40 lakh voters, the dominant groups are Brahmin, Punjabi and Vishya. This demography also favours the BJP. Kaushik says elected again, he will augment healthcare facilities by getting a multi-specialty hospital set up in the city. Likewise, transport facilities will be improved keeping in view the city's huge floating population the year-round and Haridwar will be made "a developed city."