Congress attempts to pin down Khanduri in his own constituency

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It is on the basis of the image of B. C. Khanduri that the BJP hopes to do well in the Uttarakhand elections.

But in an irony of sorts, for the fight for the Kotdwar seat from where Khanduri is contesting, he is relying on a face other than his own.

Seen prominently with the BJP Chief Ministerial candidate is BJP's sitting MLA from this constituency Shailendra Singh Rawat.

The senior leader's dependence on Rawat could have partly to do with his hectic campaigning for other party candidates across the state, but also due to Congress' efforts to pin the BJP big gun in his own constituency.

The recurring allegation that his Congress opponents here level is that once elected, Khanduri would spend all his time in the state capital Dehradun and there would be no one to address the local issues, also seems to have played a part.

"The present MLA was popular as he had remained accessible to us throughout his previous term. There are apprehensions that it might not be as easy to contact Khanduriji especially if he becomes the Chief Minister," said Anuj, a shopkeeper in Kotdwar.

But not everyone shares these apprehensions. "We had put these fears before Khanduri himself during one of his public meetings but he assured us that he would visit us regularly and in his absence, the present MLA Rawat would be his representative in the constituency.

"It would be matter of pride and advantage if Khanduri wins this seat and them becomes the CM," said Manmohan Singh Negi, a retired central Government servant.