About 100 kilometers from Lucknow, Misrikh-Neemsar is a land steeped in mythology and home to 33 Hindu gods and goddesses.
Nimsar (or Naimish Dham) like Kashgar, Mathura and Ayodhya attracts large crowds throughout the year and employs thousands of people.
The fourth phase of voting on May 13 will see the most backwards Lok Sabha constituencies of this sort. In Sitapur, there are two seats: one in Palamau Constituency and the other in Bilgram-Malavan (constituency no.5), while Bilhaur Constituency is located in Kanpur and Misrkh Constituency too lies under Sitapur district.
Candidate’s canvassing in this religious town has intensified to a point where it has turned into an intense struggle for power between them.
In direct combat, Ashok Kumar Rawat (49), sit bjp MP will fight against SP rival Sangeeta Rajvanshi. Rawat, a three-term congressman (two as a member of the Socialist Party of the Philippines), enjoys support from saffron symbols, participation into local events, involvement of different caste groups.
Sangita (41), a former minister’s daughter-in-law, three-time provincial councilor and sajwadi party Veteran Rampal Rajvanshi hopes that Muslims who plays crucial role in this constituency besides community members together with Dalits will support her.
Mislik as a reserved seat has about 30% SC voters. Instead of BSP both Pasi candidates –Rawat and Rajvanshi-are trying to bridge Jatav-non-Jatav divide. Philippians believe that BR Ahirwar (61) can be considered as an outsider because he hails from Kanpur; he will try to consolidate cadre votes. It might be interesting to know that before becoming the saffron camp, Rawat won the Misrih twice in a row as the BSP candidate in 2004 and 2009.
The Janata Party swept all five seats in the election while the Janata Party came second only to it; they were not among runners up from any of the five constituencies.
However, the BJP still has considerable support unlike in previous elections, but given mixed reactions by voters, it may not be easy for saffron party.
Yogi Adityanath’s rally on Tuesday had some impact on voters. The Ram Temple’s opening at Ayodhya led to an increase in tourists and business opportunities according to local businessmen from Nimsar. Many families who come to Ayodhya from other states also come to visit Nimsar.
“BJP government is strongly committed to religious tourism. Anybody can see this under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who supervises this transformation in Ayodhya and Mirzapur (Vindhyavasini Corridor). Now we have yogis saying that now Neemsar will be their focus,” explained Shiv Prakash Mishra (56) of Chawan, a village predominantly occupied by upper-caste people.
Yogi assured four-lane connectivity, helicopter services, electric bus services and revamping of Lalita Mata Mandir whish also appeals lower caste members because it has greater scope as a temple for religious tourism.
But there are few concerns troubling voters.
We were informed that Dalits will lose their preferential rights of reservation in case BJP wins the election. I do not know what are the thoughts of BJP on this matter because it has not made clear whether it would long to be re-elected as government again.” a farmer from Amkhwa village and a mango orchard helper, Baijnath said, “There is an apparent sense of insecurity among bahujans.” It is becoming harder and more difficult for us to find farm hands with each passing day; those who are ready to work during harvest days charge Rs 300-400 per day; this indicates that inflation is getting higher. As stated by Kalicharaj Rajvanshi from Kohrava village, “This time for the BJP It’s not easy to say.”
Anun Kumar Maurya (25) from Naimish Dham near Ambkerwa village complains about the cancellation of police recruitment drive due to leaked documents. Young people have few job opportunities. They always complain about being without jobs if 80% out of 100 young people cannot find one. The existence of money in our village suffices but moving into towns burdens us with many expenses.
Even though there was no Modi wave, rural population Mislik does not appear dissatisfied with the status quo.
It is worth noting that Sangeeta’s supporters failed to corner Rawat on local issues and yet remain convinced that Mahretha (the same place the Rajvanshi family hails from) and other predominantly Muslim voters in Sandila, Bilgram and Maravani will Voted en masse in favor of Akhilesh Yadav.
The party office at Mirik was filled up. Mohd Yusuf (65) from Nibha village in Gondlamau block got dressed up in saffron ‘gamchha’ along with a BJP cap as he proceeded towards a convoy of motor vehicles that would take him through the daily schedule. I have been in touch with the local MLA for the past 15 years. The BJP has high hopes. I have no land and require financial aid to live by,” Yusuf said, he also promised to convince less influential election voting groups from Muslim minorities to look beyond their short-term needs. Samajwadi Party workers were refilling their cars at the gas station just under 300 meters away before starting off on today’s campaign. Ranjeet, a young man driving an SUV car exclaimed: “There is water problem in this area as far as hand pumps are concerned; it’s quality is deteriorating.” Road condition has worsened within last five years.
Among common complaints made by local communities is lack of industrial and economic activity.
