Dalit IIM grad,once in Rahul’s team,fights in saffron corner

His sister Reena Chaudhary represented Mohanlalganj for the SP in 1998 and 1999. She contested on a Congress ticket in 2004 and came fourth. She is now back with the SP.

Ranjan Chaudhary’s search for his calling has brought him back to his old family profession,and taken him down Uttar Pradesh’s twisting political road of sharp turns and sudden crossings.

Chaudhary is 39,an MBA from IIM-Lucknow,speaks flawless English,and worked with ANZ Bank in Melbourne before he came back to India five years ago. He isn’t the typical UP politician — so it’s a little odd to see him on the streets of Bakshi Ka Talaab or Itaunja,making promises like the typical UP politician.

He tells voters he will get them better facilities,and be there for them always,come what may. “Most MPs from here became inaccessible once they went to Parliament. I always tell people that whether I win or not,I will always work for them and lend a ear to their problems.”

Rhetorically,he asks if anyone has ever heard any of the 14 MPs who have represented Mohanlalganj so far,raise even one question in parliament regarding the welfare of the constituency.

In the same breath,he adds: “My family has represented the seat twice. We as a family have been meeting people here and know a lot of them on a personal basis. Having spent quite some time here,we also felt that I need to bring the issues of Mohanlalganj to the forefront.”

Chaudhary’s sister,former MP Reena Chaudhary,tells of how her brother gave up the goaod life in Australia to serve the people. Chaudhary himself says: “There was nothing I did not have. But somewhere,I felt that I needed to get back to the people who have been so significant in my life. I knew that the mango growers,villagers and even industrialists of Mohanlalganj always felt the need to be heard and to be talked about.”

So in May 2004,Chaudhary returned. First stop was with Rahul Gandhi’s core team,analysing Rae Bareli and Amethi. “I had heard a lot about the Congress’s youth face Rahul Gandhi and that’s why I joined. I got to work in close coordination with him.”

The experience fell short of his expectations,however. “Perhaps the youth were not being empowered the way I thought they would be. My objective of youth empowerment in politics was not being served. So I decided to quit.” Eight months ago,he joined the BJP.

A Paasi of Chaudhary’s education and background is rare — and attractive — in a constituency with a 39% SC population and a 15% OBC population. “Despite being a Scheduled Caste,Ranjan Bhaiyya has made a place for himself through his education. And he is still a people’s man,with no airs,” says Satyapal,a shopkeeper in Itaunja. Shivprakash Gautam,a motor mechanic from Bakshi Ka Talaab,is impressed with Chaudhary “knowledge”: “When he talks about central schemes,it makes sense.”In a different demographic,the connect is at a different level.

“I don’t care which party he represents. He is like us. He is educated,he talks sense,and he speaks English,which is nice,” says 21-year-old Aditya Gupta,first-time voter from the urban Gomti Nagar,a part of which falls under Mohanlalganj. Chaudhary’s opponents say he is the outsider who doesn’t belong here.

“Woh yahaan toh rehte nahin. What does he know about the life of people here and their problems? We have spent our lives here,fighting for the people,” says Susheela Saroj,SP candidate.

Jai Prakash Rawat of the BSP quips: “We have been working for Dalits for a long time,and suddenly someone lands up in an airconditioned car… how can he understand our problems?”

Straddling sharply polarised opinions is RK Chaudhary of the Rashtriya Swabhiman Party,backed by the Congress: “The BJP cannot see beyond Mandir and Hindutva. Such an educated person with a wonderful vision does not suit them.”