Delhi University's contribution to politics in the hill state

UTTARAKHAND ELECTIONS

Amitabh Shukla

Dehradun, February 6

The Delhi University has been politically a happy hunting ground for two of the aspirants for the Uttarakhand Assembly.

The two – former Delhi University President Madan Singh Bisht and former Secretary Deepti Rawat are contesting the 2007 assembly elections. Their motto is to replicate the success of Delhi University in Uttarakhand.

The similarities end here. While Rawat, who crossed the age barrier of 25 only in December last, is contesting from Birokhal segment in the hill district of Pauri in Garhwal, Bisht is in fray from Dwarhat, near Ranikhet in the Kumaon region. Rawat is contesting on a BJP ticket while Bisht is a rebel candidate of the Congress and contesting as an independent.

"It is a tough life here but I am enjoying campaigning in the remote hilly areas. I trek 20-25 km everyday to reach the remote villages," Rawat told the Hindustan Times. She lost narrowly for the post of DUSU president on an ABVP ticket in 2004. She belongs to the area but the ground realities in the district have been an eye opener. "This is such a contrast with Delhi. The hospitals do not have doctors or even a staff. In the schools, where six teachers are required, only one takes classes," Rawat said after doing a reality check of the area.

For Bisht, the chairman of state Financial Corporation, denial of ticket came as a "shock". "I had never imagined that they will deny me the ticket. I have worked day in and out in the area for the last several years," said Bisht. He was the president of the DUSU in 1986-87 and had won the student election without any party affiliation. But claims that due to the insistence of former Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi, joined the Congress.

"I still have great regard for Sonia Gandhi but those who are managing the Uttarakhand affairs have misled her. He comes down heavily on Harish Rawat, the PCC president, and alleged that he was instrumental in denial of party ticket.

For both Bisht and Rawat, Uttarakhand and its politics are more important than Delhi. "I belong to this place while I studied in Delhi due to better opportunities," Rawat said. Bisht too has similar views. "I got political baptism in the national Capital but my workplace is my own little but beautiful state," he told HT.

For both the former DUSU leaders, their political task is tough. While Rawat is pitted against the sitting MLA of the Congress, Bisht has BJP, Congress and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal candidates pitted against him. (2007)