Prof Abhishek Mishra (37), the suave Samajwadi Party candidate from the prestigious Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, is up against stalwarts like BJP president Rajnath Singh, Congress' Rita Bahuguna Joshi and BSP's Nakul Dubey, a former state minister. He was nominated by SP by replacing its national general secretary Ashok Bajpai, which the Congress alleged was a ploy to divide secular votes. The former IIM Ahmedabad faculty, Mishra is a sitting legislator from Lucknow North constituency and serving as a UP minister of state for science and technology. In an interview to Virendra Singh Rawat, Mishra puts forth his views.
Are you harping on the SP manifesto or raising local issues in electioneering?
It has to be a combination of both. While the party manifesto has detailed the bigger picture before electorate, the local issues cannot be ignored and are being taken up in my campaign. I speak about the proposed Lucknow Metro, IT City, international cricket stadium, Lucknow-Agra Expressway etc, which would change the landscape of the city in times to come and benefit Lucknow greatly.
What is the core agenda of your election message to voters?
I am for youth empowerment. I talk about better quality of life and education for both men and women. The youth must get good employment opportunities. Besides, the issue of urban infrastructure is indeed there. I am giving much emphasis to the ageing population, so that there is not only proper security for them but a fruitful engagement. This would happen by increasing the retirement age to 65, which is also in our party manifesto.
How do you connect to the electorate?
I have made it simple and am on door-to-door campaigning seeking votes. I am also on Facebook and try to interact with the electorate and supporters through social media platforms.
Your nomination came a little late vis-à-vis the other prominent candidates in fray representing the two national parties. Don't your think it could possibly affect your chances?
No, I do not think my candidature was announced that late. Besides, I have been in Lucknow for the past two years and no other representative has done the amount of work that I have done in my constituency.
Congress smelt a rat in your candidature alleging it to be a tacit handshake between SP and BJP to divide "secular" votes and help Rajnath. Your reaction.
The same argument was put forth when I contested the 2012 assembly poll from Lucknow North and eventually won. I do not wish to respond to such allegations and would instead let my victory silent my detractors. The Congress' candidate (Rita Bahuguna) had even called me inexperienced, but the point is how do your define inexperience. One must ask her who won the assembly elections first. I have been a minister for the past two years, while she was removed from the post of UP Congress Committee (UPCC) chief.
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