Fear before D-day

Razzak Mansuri, a leader among those in the Rahimabad colony, said, 8220;We plan to ask the district collector for extra security till the elections are over. We want to vote this time.8221; The request for extra security comes despite a permanent police picket and frequent patrols by the Central Para Military Force.

Here, NCP candidate Tushar Singh, who in 2002 contested on a Congress ticket and lost, is up against BJP MLA Bachubhai Khabad. Tushar Singh is also up against Bhupendrasinh Chauhan, an NCP rebel, disgruntled about Tushar8217;s candidature. The task seems uphill for Singh as he grapples with his identity, particularly since he campaigned in the 2002 elections on a Congress ticket. But the voters, especially the Muslims in Devgadh Baria, are confused, as they don8217;t know whether Singh can be trusted Singh8212;he is perceived to be a hardliner.