I'm 'true heir' to Khanduri's political legacy: BJP Pauri candidate Tirath Rawat

BJP's Pauri Lok Sabha seat candidate Tirath Singh Rawat Tuesday claimed he was the true heir to the political legacy of veteran saffron party leader B C Khanduri, whose son is contesting the polls from the constituency on a Congress ticket.

He also said even though he was pitted against Kahnduri's son Manish, he had the veteran leader's blessings and was confident of victory from the seat.

"I am confident of a win as Khanduriji's blessings are with me and there is tremendous support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. People everywhere will cast their votes to strengthen his hands," Rawat told PTI in an interview.

"The Congress on the other hand is sidelined.It is battling for survival as even regional parties do not want the grand old party in their alliance. It is not in a position to throw a challenge," he said.

BC Khanduri, a retired major general, wields considerable clout in Pauri and is said to be a deciding factor on the seat as whoever he goes with gets an edge over the opponent.

When asked whether being the son of Khanduri gives Manish an edge, Rawat said, "On the contrary it is going to prove counter-productive as he (Manish) is being seen as someone representing an ideology his father had opposed all these years."