AAP, Independents may cut into Congress votes: Analysts

PITHORAGARH: Independent and AAP candidates are likely hurt the poll prospects of the Congress in the Almora assembly constituency as division of votes will benefit the BJP, according to analysts.

The BJP has fielded Kailash Sharma from Almora and Congress has given ticket to Manoj Tiwari, a two-time MLA from the seat in 2007 and 2012.

”Almora has been my traditional seat, I will regain it with affection of my people.”said Sharma.

Tiwari, a close associate of Harish Rawat, won the seat by a margin of over 1,000 and 3,000 votes in 2012 and 2007, defeating BJP candidates. Till date Almora seat has been won by Congress and BJP twice each. Congress won it in 2007 and 2012, and BJP in 2002 and 2017.

“This time the main contest is also between the two parties, but some candidates are likely to cut into the votes of the Congress because their agenda is same as that of the Congress,” said Shekhar Dwivedi, an election observer in Almora.

According to Dwivedi, Independent candidate Vinay Kirola has been active in rural areas of Almora assembly constituency for the last 5 years under the banner of Dharmanirapeksh Yuva Manch. He is campaigning for making villages self-reliant .”He may also take some votes from the town as he had given the slogan to make Almora a heritage town,”said Dwivedi.

Another candidate who might cut into Congress votes is

Amit Joshi, a former Congressman who is contesting on an AAP ticket this time.”The corrupt practices of both Congress and BJP representatives from Almora have deprived the people of Almora of basic facilities like drinking water, sewer lines and health facilities. Our party will provide basic facilities to people,”said Joshi.

BJP candidate Kailash Sharma is seeking votes in the name of development done by “double-engine government” in Almora. He cited the medical college in the town, and sanctioning of budget from drinking water and a sewer line for Almora.”Moreover it is my attempt to represent the people of Almora. I am m sure people will bless me with a big margin,”said Sharma.

Congress candidate Manoj Tiwari, a two-time MLA from Almora, alleged that the “double-engine government has failed on all fronts. ”The doubleengine government failed to complete the developmental schemes started by Harish Rawat government in 2016. We are going to form government this year and will complete the schemes that were meant to give Almora better health facilities, education and jobs. We will supply of drinking water round the year,” said Tiwari.

Candidates of the SP, BSP and Uttarakhand Pariwartan Party, and 2 independent are also in fray in Almora.