In Uttarakhand, “Khanduri is zaroori (chief minister B.C. Khanduri is needed)” for the ruling BJP. Banking on Mr Khanduri’s clean image and hoping that recent announcements made by the BJP government in the hill state, which also includes a “strong” Lokayukta and better healthcare, primary school, transport facilities, other than jobs for youth, will help the party regain its credibility, which had been dented during Mr Khanduri’s predecessor Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank’s tenure.
While Mr Khanduri’s photographs can be seen on banners and posters at public gatherings and rallies, interestingly in Doiwala, Mr Nishank’s Assembly constituency, the CM’s photographs are missing. Mr Nishank were removed last year after corruption charges were levied against him. He was replaced by Mr Khanduri, barely four months before the state was going to polls. The feedback that the party has been receiving after this change of leadership in the state has been “encouraging”.
An upbeat BJP misses no chance to attack the Congress over the 2G spectrum allocation scam, Adarsh scam and financial irregularities in the Commonwealth Games in its campaign.
The issue of 4.5 per cent reservation to minorities from within the OBC quota is another high point in the party campaign. BJP leaders make it a point to explain to voters that how the Congress is playing “vote bank” politics and “snatching” the OBCs’ right.
“The Congress is playing vote bank politics. It has given 4.5 per cent share to minorities from within 27 per cent for the OBCs. Their leaders are promising 9 per cent sub-quota for backward Muslims in UP while the SP (Samajwadi Party) is promising 18... Where were these parties all this time? They have woken up just before the elections. But they (the Congress and the SP) are forgetting that voters have become conscious of this vote bank politics. People want a government that can deliver and not just make false promises,” said BJP chief Nitin Gadkari while addressing a public rally in Dhanaulti Assembly seat in the Tehri region of Uttarakhand.
Mr Gadkari also listed out various schemes introduced during the Atal Behari Vajpayee-led NDA government.
He also made it a point to mention how the NDA government played an active role in creating Uttarakhand “whose needs were different” from that of UP and which was neglected by the Congress government for so many years.
In Doiwala, former chief minister Nishank’s Assembly seat, Mr Gadkari attacked the Congress-led government at the Centre for trying to “cover up” several scams and failing to take action against those involved.
Mr Gadkari also accused the Congress of showing interest only in “lakshmi (goddess of wealth) darshan” and not in good governance.