Rampur: With the announcement of candidates in
all five constituencies in this UP district, the stage is set
for a tough contest between Samajwadi party (SP), which
considers it as its stronghold, and the Congress.
The centre of attraction is likely to be the contest
between SP`s seven-time winning MLA Mohammed Azam Khan and
popular physician and philanthropist Tanveer Ahmed Khan,
fielded by the Congress.
However, according to the locals, Azam Khan`s political
experience will give him edge even though Tanveer is known in
the state as well as in neighbouring Uttarakhand for his
benevolent activities.
"Tanveer is a nice person but there is a sea of difference
between niceness and politics. We need a person who can bring
development in Rampur," an autodriver Babbu Khan said.
However, Lok Manch, a party floated by Azam Khan`s bete
noir and ex-SP leader Amar Singh and actress-turned politician
Jaya Prada is hoping to make a dent into the vote bank of the
other heavyweights with their nominee Reshma Bi, former
chairperson of Rampur Municipal Board and wife of a former
Congress MLA Afroz Ali Khan.
The other interesting contest is in Swar-Tanda
constituency from where the sitting Samajwadi Party
MLA Nawab Kazim Ali Khan has been fielded by Congress.
While BSP has banked on the business community of the area
by fielding one of its representatives Bhart Bhusan Gupta,
BJP`s nominee is a Brahamin Jogeshwar Dayal Dixit.
PTI
