Jayapur gram pradhan in race for BJP ticket

VARANASI: Jayapur village, which had witnessed a complete makeover with flow of funds under corporate social responsibility after it was adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2014, is today marred by broken roads, littered surroundings, non-functional solar street lamps and damaged toilets. Gram pradhan Narayan Patel is in race for Assembly ticket from Bharatiya Janata Party.
The cosmetic surgery of the village done after its adoption seems to have failed.Patel claimed that the two solar plants of 25kv capacity each are functioning properly for household lighting. Weeks before the announcement of Assembly elections, the foundation stone of a 900m road was laid on December 27 with an estimated cost of Rs 24.65 lakh.
The road, which was paved with colourful tiles, is nowhere in the scene except a few patches near the main entrance of the village. The fragile tiles could not bear the load of tractors and other heavy vehicles in this agricultural belt. The old brick road, which was covered under the tiles, appeared again. The condition of cleanliness and other amenities is pathetic. One can see used ‘kulhad’ (earthen pots for tea) littered all around, though garbage bins have been placed at different places. “What can I do when people throw the waste outside the bin,” a vendor, who runs his stall near the main gate of Jayapur, said.
Patel is hopeful of getting BJP ticket to contest the Assembly election from Sevapuri assembly constituency, which is presently represented UP minister Surendra Patel. When most of people are yet to politically warm up after poll announcement, Patel is busy in calculating winning equations. “Names of three candidates, including me, have been forwarded to the BJP headquarters for consideration of ticket from Sevapuri seat,” Patel said after analyzing the caste equation of the constituency that is dominated by Patels, followed by Bhumihars, Brahmins and Yadavs. The BJP candidate from this seat in 2012 Assembly election performed poorly and could get only 8,000 votes, he said, adding that the constituency has 3.17 lakh voters.
“The picture will become clear only after all parties finalise their candidates,” a villager Ajay Yadav said, adding that issues like development, the image and capabilities of the candidate will matter in the election.