Badshahpur: Challenge to bridge urban-rural divide

GURUGRAM: As Gurugram has expanded over the years, the impact of its growth has also been felt in the pattern of its democratic exercise. In 2009, the Badshahpur constituency was carved out from the Gurugram region. A region that predates back to the Mughal era consists of a mix of urban and rural areas of the city.

In the two assembly elections that have been held in the region so far the first one in 2009 was won by Rao Dharampal and the other by BJP'S Rao Narbir Singh. The Badshahpur Vidhan sabha constituency is the largest in Gurugram. There is a total of 3,79,073 voters. The total number of female voters is 1,78,771 and male electorates are 2,00,297. The Badshahpur have voters that range from Punjabis, Brahmins, Jats, Rajputs, and Gurjars. The importance of the seat can be gauged from the fact that the Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to hold the rally in the region.

The BJP this time took a bold step by replacing the sitting MLA, Cabinet Minister, and the veteran Ahirwal leader Rao Narbir Singh with Manish Yadav who will be fighting his first elections. In an interesting move, the Indian National Congress has given the ticket to Rao Narbir's younger brother Rao Kamal Vir Yadav from the seat. While there are large number of independents who are also fighting from the Badshahpur seat and are not being written off as they continue to be popular among their set of voters.

One of the major challenges for the candidates is to bridge the urban-rural divide. A large number of rural voters who often need to visit Gurugram for job purposes often complain of poor connectivity and lack of public transportation systems. The absence of effective primary medical and educational centers also continues to be a major issue. The candidates also have to deal with the problem of removal of Kherki Dhaula toll plaza that has now acquired a notorious name for repeated incidents of violence.

For lakh of Gurugrammer who either work in Manesar or reside in new Gurugram traveling through Kherki Dhaula has been nothing but misery.

Various challenges at the toll have resulted in several alterations being reported. Taking cognisance of the complaint, the Haryana government has decided to move the toll. However even after one year of the formal announcement the plan has hit a roadblock due to various challenges.