LUCKNOW: Haji Amin, a resident of Khurramnagar, is elated to see the Samajwadi Party candidate from Lucknow East, Anurag Bhadouria, campaigning in his locality.
He clinches Bhadouria’s hand and blesses him. “Beta Anurag, tumhara ye kurta salamat rahe,” he tells Bhadouria referring to his usual attire, kurta and a pair of jeans, that he has been sporting for a couple of years now.
As Bhadouria, 50, visits colonies, some residents tell him they’ve seen him in TV debates, while others show interest in his red Samajwadi cap.
He is the national spokesperson of SP and was granted status of minister of state during SP rule. He came into limelight in 2012-15 when he organised Indian Gramin Cricket League to pormote rural sports. During the campaign, he is focusing on young voters and often interacts with them.
Discussing issues like inflation and unemployment with the youth, he refers to potholed roads and overflowing drains and calls for support so that the condition could be improved.
“Give me two reasons why there should be a change,” he asks a voter, Dinesh Upreti. “Soaring price of LPG cylinders is breaking our back. Buying essential commodities has become difficult,” he says.
“People were not ready to talk during our last campaign. They are vocal about their support to SP this time. There is a definite wave in our favour,” Bhadouria tells TOI.
Several young voters say they are looking for change.
“My father had to suffer a lot in his business. We want change. I am a classical dancer by profession but I have not been able to land a job and have to work at my father’s shop,” says Harshita Gupta (23).
Youngsters Neeraj Rai and Abhay Mishra say Akhilesh Yadav is focusing on students and their future.
Walking through the colonies without any sloganeering, Bhadouria connects with voters covering 30-40km every day. He walks during regular campaigning and takes to bicycle to connect with voters early in the morning.
