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?I am in touch with my people?
Lok Janshakti Party candidate from Saharsa Ranjita Ranjan says she won?t hesitate to raise the issues for people's welfare
Lok Janshakti Party candidate from Saharsa parliamentary constituency, Ranjita Ranjan was interviewed by Lalitesh Mishra. Excerpts:
Why did you decide to contest from Saharsa seat that is spread over two districts and with major areas inaccessible?
Look, it’s not that I am not in contact with the people of Saharsa. I have been visiting Saharsa-Supaul areas and trying to launch an agitation for the construction of a high dam on Kosi. My party knew that the people here were all for me and that is why it chose to field me for the seat.
Before entering politics you were managing the political affairs and the election campaign of your husband, Pappu Yadav, in Purnia. This time he is in jail. Won’t that affect the political prospects of both of you?
At Purnia, we are like family members of the constituents. Although during the last elections, I had managed the election campaign of my husband, it were his political workers and admirers who saw him through. As for our success this time, we are confident that we will sail through smoothly despite the fact that my husband is lodged in jail.
What are your poll issues?
To work for providing basic amenities to the people like safe drinking water, good medical facilities, smooth and motorable roads, etc. Besides, there should be adequate power supply, construction of a high dam over Kosi, etc.
The Lok Janshakti Party is a new outfit with no traditional vote base here. The support base of your alliance partners, the RJD and Congress, too is said to be crumbling. How do you expect them to sail through?
It is totally unfair to say that LJP has no vote bank here. We do have it. Besides, my husband has remained in constant touch with the people here and raised their problems before the right forum. Besides, both the RJD and the Congress have broad support base here and their whole-hearted support to me is bound to reap results.
Your rival parties have branded your secular alliance as “pariwarwadi morcha” and a congregation of criminals. What have you to say on this?
Is there any party that does promote ‘family fiefdom’ and embrace criminal elements? Can you name any? If a doctor has a doctor-son there is no noise. But I fail to understand that when the wife or a son of a politician takes to politics there is lot of noise.
The ruling RJD, your alliance partner, is accused of stalling the development of the state. Bad roads, poor power scenario, crumbling health system are examples of its non-performance. How will you justify this, if elected?
I won’t hesitate to raise the issues concerning the people as it is the prime duty of a public representative. And, any government, be it of my alliance partner or opposition parties, is duty-bound to attend to the problems of the people.
