As sitting BJP MLA’s stock slips,edge for ‘bold’ Joshi

Rita enjoys much goodwill as a “fighter and a bold woman”,but is hindered by the “outsider” label. Since she is also president of the state unit of a national party,it is a question as to whether she will have time to take care of the area.

Tiwari,who has again been fielded by the BJP,is banking on the fact that the area has a good RSS network and a large population of traders who are regarded as traditional BJP supporters. Dwivedi is also quietly working in the Dalit dominated localities,trying to benefit from the fight between his two Brahmin rivals.

However,people have lost faith in Tiwari due to his inaction,according to Dinesh Kumar,who runs a pottery shop on the Charbagh road. “ We have been voting for Suresh Tiwari in the past. He has a clean image,but in the past five years,he was never seen here.”

“We had decided to vote for SP but their candidate is not strong. Rita Bahuguna Joshi has been campaigning hard.”

People still remember how Joshi’s house was burnt a few years ago after she made an objectionable statement against chief minister Mayawati.

Dinesh’s mother Asha Devi says,“She is an educated and bold woman. We got to know about her when her house was burnt. She stood up strongly.”

Even in Chota Barah area,where the BJP MLA lives,people want change. “As far as work is concerned,no one in this area is happy with him (Tiwari). He has forgotten us. Roads are heaped with garbage and sewage lines are choked for days. He could have done something for his locality,” said an atta-chakki owner who did not want to be named.

Suresh Kumar,a trader near the Alambagh bus stand,however,said he would vote for Tiwari as he has been taking up traders’ issues.

Although there are six women candidates contesting from this seat,including Trinamool Congress candidate Suraiya Siddique,a former aide of Joshi,SP’s Suresh Chauhan and Shiv Sena’s Suman Singh,however,Joshi has a far greater connection with the voters.