Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad has turned the Nagina constituency's election into a gripping contest. In an exclusive conversation, he said he's contesting as Mayawati's choice. 'See how Sister has nominated an outsider, Surendra Maniwal, for me. This move she has made is for my aid; only a family member can appreciate how she's backing me. She too wants a leader from my community to emerge,' he said.
Chandrashekhar added, 'Aakash Anand will come here to rally for our candidate, but he knows I am the true contender. He's bound by party formalities, yet my people know I'm the one they want to triumph.'
He highlighted the 70% vs 30% battle here, and how he represents the majority. Even though he sought support from Akhilesh Yadav and key Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, they misunderstood his gesture and fielded their candidates against him. Now his party will decide his level of support to them.
He regards Akhilesh Yadav as a brother, believing Yadav's candidate is a sign of endorsement. 'If Chandrashekhar Azad wins, he alone will raise the issues of Dalits and the marginalized in parliament,' he asserted.
Regarding Jayant Chaudhary's BJP alliance, Chandrashekhar stated, 'Only Jayant can explain his compulsions... I cannot comment on whether it was a mistake or not.'
The important Nagina seat in Bijnor district of Western UP is up for grabs, with SP deploying former judge Manoj Kumar, BSP fielding Surendra Maniwal, and BJP choosing Om Kumar. Chandrashekhar's entry has made the contest even more exciting. With Dalits and Muslims comprising about 70% of votes, a consolidated vote for a single candidate could assure victory.
