The actor and the charmer

It is a battle of two Biharis in North East Delhi, which highlights the importance of the Purvanchali vote in Delhi politics

- SONI MISHRA

Nanoj Tiwari, 53, the sitting MP from North East Delhi, has been on a relentless campaign for more than a month now. It is a high-octane espousal of issues such as nationalism and Ram Mandir, and it is centred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image as a leader who has delivered on his promises.

As Tiwari’s road show enters a narrow lane in Burari, his entourage plays the song ‘Ram ke the, Ram ke hain, hum Ram ke rahenge [We were, are and will be Ram’s]’ that he had sung to commemorate the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The actor-singer-turned-politician waves to people gathered on balconies and terraces and appeals for their vote with folded hands. The two-time MP also reminds them about his own track record as their representative and claims to have undertaken works to the tune of 014,600 crore in the constituency.

Religion though dominates Tiwari’s campaign, and his Lord Ram song is played wherever he goes. His speeches are replete with references to the Ram Temple, and he rounds them off with the slogan of ‘Jai Shri Ram’. The youthful spiritual leader of Bageshwar Dham of Madhya Pradesh, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, held an event in North East Delhi bang in the middle of election season, and Tiwari was on stage, seeking his blessings.