LUCKNOW: Donning white kurta pyjama, sadri and a saffron scarf with a white lotus printed on it, BJP candidate from Lucknow North assembly constituency Dr Neeraj Bora sets out to campaign for his re-election from the constituency every morning along with family members and over 50 odd supporters.
Every evening ‘Team Bora’ finalizes a campaign strategy for the next day. Accordingly, party workers are communicated about areas where campaigning will be done. While supporters ensure that all arrangements are in place for a campaign before Dr Bora arrives, another team handling online canvassing keeps posting his activities on social media. He also takes out time to do a ‘Facebook Live’, explaining what he has done in five years and what he would do if re-elected.
With saffron ‘tilak’ on his forehead and ‘kalava’ around his wrist, Dr Bora walks down from one house to another and one market to another with party supporters greeting him with garlands amid beating of ‘dhols’. “My wife, son and son-in-law and I have formed separate groups to campaign simultaneously in different parts of the constituency to reach out to maximum number of people in limited time,” he told TOI while campaigning in Kapoorthala market amid chanting of slogans “Bharat Mata ki Jai and “Jai Shree Ram” by his supporters.
At a housing colony in Aliganj, some youngsters rush to take selfies with the candidate. He obliges everyone. Few residents ask him to address their issues related to sanitation and hygiene. Immediately, he asks his personal assistant to note details of issues which need to be addressed. “Though the situation has improved drastically in the last five years, some issues are still lingering which will be solved,” assures Dr Bora, who has also been thrice elected as president of Indian Medical Association’s Lucknow wing.
As his small caravan reaches another area, supporters welcome him with flowers. Bhumi Gupta, a first-time voter, poses a question on what the party will do for women. “Our goal is the development of all. We deliver what we promise. Our policies are aimed at providing women a safe atmosphere and making them self-reliant,” he replies.
