Potato farmers issues dominate Fatehpur Sikri; Congress pins hopes on Raj Babbar for revival

Residents in the historical city of Fatehpur Sikri in western Uttar Pradesh say problems related to farmers, most of who grow potato and sugarcane, have dominated the issues during the campaigning in the constituency.

And these will likely decide the winner in the Lok Sabha poll scheduled here Thursday.

Congress has pinned its hopes on its state chief Raj Babbar, shifting the actor-turned-politician from Moradabad after he was said to be not keen on contesting from the seat.

He had unsuccessfully contested from Fatehpur Sikri in 2009.

BJP has fielded a Jat leader and farmer's son, Rajkumar Chahar, denying ticket to its sitting MP Chaudhary Babulal and BSP has shown faith in Shreebhagwan Sharma, also known as Guddu Pandit.

Anshul Agarwal, who owns a hardware shop in the main market of Fatehpur Sikri, said the main issues plaguing the area are related to potato farmers and a lack of industries and water for irrigation and drinking purposes.

"In western UP, sugarcane farmers are aggrieved. Here it is (also) potato farmers who are not getting their dues. Due to the historic importance of the walled city, no industries have come up. But certainly non-polluting, processing industries can be set up here," he told PTI.

The BJP has pitched the development agenda and "Modi factor" to the electorate.

"Vikas and Modi ji's face are two key factors for us," said Prahlad Garg, a local BJP leader.

He cited Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, Ujjwala Yojna, and construction of toilets under a government scheme to make his case and said people have benefitted from these programmes.

Babbar, on the other hand, is banking on his local connection; he was born in Agra.

Projecting his image as "Aapka Apna Raj Babbar", he said, "This is the land where I was born, which made me the Raj Babbar who earned name in Mumbai. This is the land that elected me to Lok Sabha also."
Have things changed since then?
"For example, we brought NREGA, farmer loan waivers in the three states where we recently formed government or our new proposal of minimum income guarantee (NYAY)," he said, and apparently referring to BJP added, "Those who lose people's trust are set to lose the throne."