Lucknow, March 20 (IANS) Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's name evokes a lot of respect here and the contest for Lucknow, from where BJP president and former state chief minister Rajnath Singh is contesting this time, will be largely be fought on Vajpayee's legacy. Lucknow, which thrice elected Vajpayee to the Lok Sabha, goes to the polls April 30.
The Congress has placed its bet on former state president and now legislator Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who lost to outgoing BJP MP Lalji Tandon in 2009 by about 38,000 votes. The ruling Samajwadi Party, which did well in the city in the 2012 assembly polls, has pitted Ashok Vajpayi while the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has reposed faith in former urban development minister Nakul Dubey.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is yet to bare its cards but insiders say that Adarsh Shastri, grandson of former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, is likely to be fielded from this VIP constituency.
Vajpayee's name still invokes respect. But political pundits say the poor track record of Lalji Tandon was one reason why Rajnath Singh was brought in. The party is, however, worried that a sulking Lalji Tandon, who was number two in Rajnath Singh's state cabinet a decade back, could be a stumbling block to the BJP president.
The BJP knows that the margin of victory in Lucknow has been thinning. From Vajpayee's huge victory margins, Lalji Tandon scraped through by just 38,000 votes.
"With the SP (Samajwadi Party) doing surprisingly well in the urban areas of Lucknow, we were not in a position to take a risk. Rajnath Singh is the perfect choice to turn the tide in our favour again," a BJP leader told IANS.
The Samajwadi Party's Ashok Vajpayi is widely seen as a sobre, down to earth and accessible person. But he may not find it easy to take on the political heavyweights.
Rita Bahuguna Joshi, daughter of former UP chief minister and Congress stalwart Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna, is known to be a fighter and has a good image among minorities and women in Lucknow. She refuses to see Rajnath Singh as a challenge and is confident of trouncing him.
"Rajnathji is an outsider. Remove the 'national BJP president' tag from his name and he is no one," she says. "All the major work done in Lucknow is on central government funds, be it the city buses, the sewer system or roads," Joshi told IANS.
"Lucknow is a city of learned people. They prefer development over communal politics," she added.
But Rajnath Singh, who won from Ghaziabad in 2009, told IANS that he felt at home in Lucknow.
Rhetoric on development and the "Modi wave" apart, all major players concede that politics in Lucknow was still very much about castes.
Lucknow has some 450,000 Muslims, 350,000 Brahmins, 150,000 Vaishyas, 125,000 Kayasths, 100,000 each Yadavs and Dalits, 60,000 Thakurs and a sizeable presence of people from Uttarakhand (175,000 votes).
While the Muslims are likely to opt between the Congress and the SP, some Shias may lean towards the BJP. Dalits are expected to stick to the BSP.
AAP, some say, could take away a chunk of urban votes.
Opportunity to make a profit: Record date of buyback of TCS, February 23, will buy back shares worth 18 thousand crores
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has a fixed record date for the buyback of shares. This will be considered as February 23. That is, on this date, you will have its share, then you can sell it in the
BJP promises Brand India, and Modi good governance
New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Monday promised to provide "good governance" if the BJP wins the Lok Sabha election even as his party pledged to build "Brand
Now the whole world is under the control of Russian missile: After the successful testing of nuclear missile, Putin said - now the enemy will think twice before threatening us
At present, the war between Russia and Ukraine does not seem to end. Meanwhile, Russia on Wednesday successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Sarmat. These missiles
The tribal girl who picked wood won gold medal: 'Khelo India' completed 400 meters race in 56 seconds
A tribal girl from Andhra Pradesh has won the gold medal in the 400 meters race in Khelo India. In the ongoing \'Khelo India Youth Games-2022\' in Haryana, 19-year-old Kunja Rajitha secured the first
Paresh Rawal Bday: Suniel Shetty wishes Paresh Rawal on his birthday, users request him for 'Hera Pheri 3'
Bollywood's finest actor Paresh Rawal is celebrating his 70th birthday today. For the last few days, he has been in the headlines due to his ouster from 'Hera Pheri 3'. There is a legal battle going
Delhi Government must give Environment high priory: R.K. Pachauri
New Delhi, Feb 8 (IANS) As Delhi gears up to usher in a new government, eminent environmentalist R.K. Pachauri is hopeful it would give the sector "high priority" and reflect Prime Minister
Vice President Farewell: House bid farewell to Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, PM Modi said - Emotional moment
Vice President Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu was given farewell in Parliament today. During this, all the leaders of the party and opposition were present including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ghaziabad AAP convenor sues Shazia Ilmi
Noida, Feb 3 (IANS) The Ghaziabad convenor of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has sued ex AAP and presently BJP leader Shazia Ilmi.In a defamation case filed against Shazia Ilmi, Thakur Davendra Singh
Robert De Niro: Robert De Niro became the father of a seventh child at the age of 79, 'Godfather' fame actor expressed happiness
Hollywood actor Robert De Niro has recently become the father of the seventh child. The actor himself has disclosed this in a recent interview. The 79-year-old Oscar-winning actor, in an interview
Salman Khan: Bhaijaan left for Dubai amid firing at home! Will launch his fitness brand with tight security
Salman was seen at the Mumbai airport and was accompanied by his bodyguard Shera. He was also given Y+ security, which has been provided to him by the Government of
