Chattisgarh's richest Cong nominee ready to fight for Ambikapur again

Ambikapur: Chhattisgarh’s richest Congress candidate and a royal family heir, Tribhuneshwar Sharan Singh Dev is going from home to home campaigning for the phase II of upcoming Assembly polls. Popularly known as “TS Baba”, Dev has been spending most of his time outside his luxurious palace, campaigning for the November 19 election. A Congress nominee and sitting MLA, Dev is among the top three richest candidates in poll fray, with the highest declared assets of Rs 561.50 crore. Scion of royal family in Sarguja district, 61-year-old Dev is making home visits in his constituency to meet voters belonging to middle, lower middle and poor backgrounds. [caption id=“attachment_1234877” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  AFP[/caption] “There has been step-motherly behaviour from Raman Singh led Chhattisgarh government. Most of the sanctioned projects have not been started due to bureaucratic delay which is affecting people here,” he told PTI here. Dev said his priorities are to ensure development of Ambikapur and adjoining areas and claims to be working for the welfare of the people. “From roads to sewage system, whatever you see today is result of my efforts. Even I am unable to utilise Local Area Development Fund because of administrative glitches,” Dev said. He promises to set up medical and engineering colleges, generate employment opportunities for youths and provide better road connectivity among other things and is busy campaigning in Naxal-affected Ambikapur areas, on the borders of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand states. “I am confident of winning the polls. Not only my constituency but Congress will win the state with thumping majority,” Dev said. He had won 2008 Assembly Elections with a margin of 948 votes against his rival and BJP candidate Anurag Singh Dev, who will contest again from Ambikapur constituency. “I will win elections with huge margin. I am highlighting 50 years of Congress rule in the country with ten years of BJP rule in the state. People can see the difference. Raman Singh has done a lot of development work. People will choose him again. I am confident of winning,” the BJP candidate said. Interestingly, an Independent candidate from Ambikapur constituency, Ku Geeta Ravi has declared lowest assets of Rs 2,000 in Chhattisgarh, as per an NGOs assessment based on analysis of candidates affidavits. However, people in Ambikapur and adjoining areas have appreciated the development work done by BJP ruled Chhattisgarh Government under Chief Minister Raman Singh. A lot of them are also influenced by Dev, who despite being a Royal, does not hesitate in attending social functions like birthdays and marriages in his constituency on invitation. Ambikapur, which has about 243 villages, has only three cinema halls, which require renovation. “We need employment opportunities and industries here. There is nothing in the name of entertainment here. There are not many options available for family outings. We need better roads and infrastructure,” said one Santosh, a B.Tec student. Voting in 72 Chhattisgarh constituencies, including Ambikapur, will be held on 19 November. PTI