Raman reaps Congress crop

It is the Raman effect of a different hue. If the eminent physicist and Nobel Laureate CV Raman was credited with ‘Raman Effect’ — the new phenomena of light spectroscopy discovered by him — Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh has altogether a different effect to his credit.

Although the ruling BJP is beset with its own share of internal bickering over selection of candidates and ego clashes between local leaders, this Raman effect has been standing tall to ward off any ill-effects of infighting on the party’s poll prospects.

With no one else in the Chhattisgarh BJP to match his stature, Raman’s track record of an efficient chief minister, his suavity and easy accessibility to the public has placed him in an enviable position.

Since the entire campaign of the BJP is pivoted on his achievements that include providing an accountable government and basic amenities at cheaper rates, the internal party rumblings are only having momentary impact that too of a local nature.

Till the other day, a non-descript political entity, Raman Singh along with his MP counterpart Shivraj Singh Chauhan has become a mascot of clean administration and development for the BJP.

Cheaper rice (Rs3 per kg) and salt (25 paise per kg) to the below poverty line families coupled with efficient implementation of the Centre-sponsored schemes such as a National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana to provide employment and connectivity, has hit the right target. It addresses the issue of roti and rozgar that are vital to poor families, said a local BJP leader.

Intriguingly, while the BJP has been able to take total benefit of the Central schemes in the name of efficient implementation, the Congress camp is a contrast.

Divided into groups and coteries, its leaders are so busy pulling each other that the party is no where being seen taking credit for crores of rupees being spent by the UPA government on these schemes.