The assembly election in Uttarakhand is being billed as a star-studded battle between the Congress and the BJP for control of the Himalayan state.
An HT analysis of the 69 constituencies and possible scenarios for individual candidates:
* Harish Rawat (Congress): Kiccha and Haridwar (rural)
What may work
Rawat’s development work in Kiccha, that falls in Kumaon region with 29 seats, and in Haridwar district having 11 assembly segments. Also the fact that he is tipped to become CM again if the Congress wins.
What may not
Anti-incumbency and a division of Muslim-Dalit votes in Haridwar (rural)
* Kishore Upadhyay (Congress): Sahaspur
What may work
He is the party’s state president and a probable minister if his party wins the state
What may not
Considered an outsider; rebel candidate Aryendra Sharma, who was Congress nominee in 2012, may eat into Upadhyay’s vote base; also a division of minority votes
* Indira Hridyesh (Congress): Haldwani
What may work
The veteran leader’s connect with the people, focus on development work. She is also the sitting legislator
What may not
Her allegedly arrogant style of functioning; two Muslim candidates may also divide her vote bank
* Pritam Singh (Congress): Chakrata
What may work
A family bastion from where he has never lost since the assembly elections in 2002. Only assembly segment from where Congress got more seats than BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls
What may not
BJP challenger Madhu Chauhan public rapport and development work when she was a zila parishad chairperson.
* Ranjeet Rawat (Congress): Ramnagar
What may work
His close association with Harish Rawat and his constituency falling in CM’s bastion – Kumaon
What may not
* Ajay Bhatt (BJP): Ranikhet
What may work
If the BJP wins, he is likely to get an important portfolio
What may not
A Brahmin in a Rajput-dominated seat and rebel candidate Pramod Nailwal, who was with the BJP earlier
* Harak Singh Rawat (BJP): Kotdwar
What may work
Ghar-wapsi to BJP after almost two decades, his experience in Uttarakhand politics and connect with locals
What may not
His flamboyant image, incumbency and rebellion against CM Harish Rawat
* Satpal Maharaj (BJP): Chaubattakhal
What may work
His image as a spiritual leader, connect with people because of his family and money power
What may not
His rival, Congress’ Rajpal Bisht has been in constant touch with voters despite losing the 2012 polls
* Yashpal Arya (BJP): Bajpur
What may work
His loyal friends in the Congress, he was a cabinet minister in the Harish Rawat government, and the BJP’s core vote bank
What may not
Dissent in BJP, incumbency, division of SC votes as Congress has fielded a women candidate related to BJP MP Ajay Tamta
* Saurabh Bahuguna (BJP): Sitarganj
What may work
Young face, son of former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna and probability of he becoming a minister if the BJP wins
What may not
Opposition by the local BJP and dominance of Bengali and Sikh votes.HT
