Campaigning for Tharali bypoll ends

Campaigning for the Tharali Assembly bypoll came to a close today with major contenders in the fray the BJP and Congress vying with each other to reach out to voters through roadshows and public meetings.Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat held two public meetings at Deval Bazar, Chamoli and Bhagoti in Narayanbagad to drum up support for BJP candidate Munni Devi on the last day of campaigningTrivendra Singh Rawat's predecessor Harish Rawat also addressed several poll meetings besides attending roadshows and rallies in different parts of the constituency to mobilise support for Congress nominee Jeetram Shah.Though there are five candidates in the fray including two from the left parties and one independent, the BJP and Congress appear to be locked in a straight contest on the reserved (SC) seat.Infact the saffron party has fielded its sitting MLA's widow from the seat in the hope of getting the sympathy votes. BJP legislator from Tharali, Magan Lal Shah, died of an illness earlier this year which necessitated bypoll to the seat."People from Ghat to Deval are unhappy with the state government's performance. This is going to work in favour of our candidate. We hope to win with a margin of more than 5,000 votes at the moment which may even be bigger," Harish Rawat told PTI soon after addressing a poll meeting in Narayanbagad."Residents of all the villages where I went are angry with the government. Their expectations from the much publicised 'double engine' government have been dashed and they feel cheated."Growing price-rise, non-availability of foodgrains on time have caused so much anger among the people, especially women which will sure have a bearing on the poll verdict in Tharali," the former chief minister claimed.Pradesh Congress committee secretary Sushil Rawat, who has been active in the politics of the area, said people have made up their mind about voting for development this time."They feel disappointed when they compare work done by the previous government in the constituency and what has been done by the present government," he said.The BJP on the other hand hopes to reap a rich harvest banking primarily on sympathy votes as well as what its government has done for the constituency in the last one year of its tenure.Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today said strengthening rural economy by generating employment opportunities for the rural populace at their doorsteps and stopping migration is central to the state government's policies."India is a country of villages and strengthening villages is also our strategic requirement," he said citing the example of Ghesh in the constituency which has emerged as the first digital village in the hills.Describing residents of the border district of Chamoli in which Tharali is located as soldiers of the second line of defence, the Chief Minister said one lakh walnut trees have been planted by locals at Malari which are very lucrative.People are being encouraged by the government to take bank loans and begin their own trade, he said.Pradesh BJP Yuva Morcha team member Mohan Singh Negi said, Munni Deviis getting overwhelming support of people in Ghat, Deval and Tharali development blocks especially women whoturn up in large numbers at all her rallies. It shows they identify with her."Apart from that the Modi government's four years in office and the state government's one year tenure will also earn her votes," he said.

Campaigning for Tharali bypoll ends

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