 "Let my victory silence my detractors in Lucknow: Abhishek Mshra")
Abhishek Mishra, the Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate from the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, is up against stalwarts like Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajnath Singh, Congress' Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Bahujan Samaj Party's Nakul Dubey, a former state minister. He was nominated by the SP by replacing its national general secretary Ashok Bajpai, which the Congress alleged was a ploy to divide secular votes. In an interview with Virendra Singh Rawat, Mishra puts forth his views on youth empowerment as well as security for the elderly. Edited excerpts:
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, Information Technology city, international cricket stadium, Lucknow-Agra Expressway, etc, which would change the landscape of the city in times to come and benefit Lucknow greatly.
I am for youth empowerment. I talk about a better quality of life and education for both men and women. The youth must get employment opportunities. Besides, the issue of urban infrastructure is also important. I am giving much emphasis on betterment of the ageing population, so there is not only proper security for them but a fruitful engagement as well. 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 engaging in door-to-door campaigning seeking votes. I am also on Facebook and trying 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.
The Congress smelt a rat in your candidature alleging it to be a tacit handshake between the SP and the 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 instead let my victory silence 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 chief.
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, Information Technology city, international cricket stadium, Lucknow-Agra Expressway, etc, which would change the landscape of the city in times to come and benefit Lucknow greatly.
More From This Section
What is the core agenda of your election message to voters?
I am for youth empowerment. I talk about a better quality of life and education for both men and women. The youth must get employment opportunities. Besides, the issue of urban infrastructure is also important. I am giving much emphasis on betterment of the ageing population, so there is not only proper security for them but a fruitful engagement as well. 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 engaging in door-to-door campaigning seeking votes. I am also on Facebook and trying 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.
The Congress smelt a rat in your candidature alleging it to be a tacit handshake between the SP and the 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 instead let my victory silence 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 chief.