Uttar Pradesh elections 2017: In Kanpur Dehat, it’s about Akhilesh’s image vs others

While geographically in Kanpur Dehat, politically Rasoolabad is part of Kannauj Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Dimple Yadav, Akhilesh’s wife. A widow, Sarvesh Devi is partially handicapped. On December 2 last year, at a time the fight for cash, brought in by Modi’s decision to scrap high-value currencies, was at its peak in non-urban UP, she had gone into labour pain while standing in line to withdraw Rs 20,000 due to her under the state government’s Lohia Awas scheme. In labour pain for nearly 45 minutes, Sarvesh delivered inside the bank in Jhinjhak, about 6 km from her village. The ambulance arrived much later — to take her to a community health center hardly 3 km away. The boy, born with the help of women from the neighbourhood who were in the bank, was named “Khajanchi” (treasurer) by the locals.

To slam demonetisation, Akhilesh, who gave Sarvesh Rs 2 lakh as assistance from the state government, has referred to the story multiple times in his rallies. For Sarvesh — who has three sons and a daughter besides Khajanchi — life still revolves around a small mud house covered with thatched roof. The house being built under Lohia Awas scheme still does not have a roof. “The assistance money is all I have for my children. I cannot do much work, so I am not touching it. I hope this (house) will be completed soon,” Sarvesh said.

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Sarvesh does not know the name of the sitting SP MLA (Shiv Kumar Beria) or the present candidate (Arun Kumari Kori) — both have changed seats to counter anti-incumbency — but said, “Aur zyada kisi ke barey mein nahi pata, par mukhyamantri ne madad ki thhi (I don’t know much about the others but the CM had helped us),” she said. A short distance away in Sikandara constituency, from where BSP’s Indra Pal Singh had won in 2012, people appreciate Akhilesh for providing help to people like Sarvesh, and starting a pension scheme of Rs 500 per month for poor women. But most people are not much impressed with the SP candidate. “Jo vote dega yahan, Akhilesh ke naam pe hi dega (everyone will vote for Akhilesh here),” Islam Khan, an egg vendor, said.