Not notoriety, BJP stronghold seeks growth

: Ramgarh of late has earned disrepute for repeated incidents of lynching and cow vigilantism. Those smuggling cows have to cross Ramgarh to reach Haryana and here they come face to face with Gau Rakshaks.

Ramgarh is dominated by Meo Muslims who have around 50,000 votes. Once a Congress stronghold, now the election results depend on polarization between Meo and other communities. Once upon a time, the Congress’ grip was such that the party won the constituency even after the Emergency in 1977. However, for the past 20 years, elections in Ramgarh are being fought on communal lines.

A face which remains in news in Ramgarh is BJP leader Gyandev Ahuja, who has been the MLA for 10 years. After the Rakbar Khan lynching incident in July, Ahuja has been trying to ride the communal wave. The BJP’s mantra for success here is polarising all Hindu votes, including scheduled castes, Brahmins, Jats, Gujjars, Rajputs, Sikhs and Sainis. For last 20 years, elections in Ramgarh have been fought on a simple formula —Meos verses all.

Ahuja, however, denies that he has been campaigning on communal lines. He is planning to highlight the works done by the party, such as roads constructed, up gradation

JAIPUR

Male RAMGARH RAJASTHAN Female

Previous election

Winner:

Gyandev Ahuja, BJP Nearest rival:

Zubair Khan, Congress of Govindgarh College, construction of railway over bridge and double laning from Bagad to Nogaeon, opening of agriculture college at Nogaeon and a nursing college. The fight for Ahuja will not be easy as he will be facing a seasoned Congress campaigner Zubair Khan. Khan has been contesting elections for past 20 years and has been an MLA thrice.

Khan said that the there has not a single election which the BJP has not fought on communal lines. “If development was the real agenda then the railway overbridge on Alwar Mathura rail line would have been constructed and Govindgarh would have got the status of a panchayat samiti,” he said. Speaking on cow vigilantes, Khan said that there is a “vicious nexus of cow vigilantes and police”.

“There is anarchy and if I get a chance to become the MLA, I will ensure that this nexus is broken. My main agenda will be to promote harmony and bring in development. People have seen the true face of BJP and this time even his communal card will not succeed,” said Khan.

Why should I contest elections on communal lines? I will win based on the development works done in the constituency.