NID designer of Modis 2002 Gaurav Rath is now challenging him in Maninagar

Five years have passed since Pravin Mishra, an alumnus of the coveted National Institute of Design (NID), designed the Gaurav Rath for incumbent Chief Minister Narendra Modi, but today he is contesting against him, and is brimming with confidence for a tough fight ahead.

By Ravi Shankar

Ahmedabad, Dec 9 : Five years have passed since Pravin Mishra, an alumnus of the coveted National Institute of Design (NID), designed the Gaurav Rath for incumbent Chief Minister Narendra Modi, but today he is contesting against him, and is brimming with confidence for a tough fight ahead.

"Never it has been so bad in the State. The hype about vikas (development) is all bakvas (absurd). It is being blown out of proportion. The real Gujarat is different what the ruling party is trying to portray," Mishra says, who remains unapologetic for designing the rath for Modi during the latter's 2002 campaign, and term it as a matter of pure professional decision.

Mishra says that he took up the offer to watch Modi from close quarters as he has received it on professional ground, and which helped him to know the party and person from close quarters.

A bitter critic of Modi, Mishra has made an animation film on the 2002 post-Godhra riots, and is trying his luck in Maninagar constituency under the banner of the little-known New Socialist Movement.

"The entire country is being ruled by the most unqualified selfish people. This is a time for change...though it's a humble beginning,'' Mishra says, eagerly waiting for December 16 when polling will be held in this constituency.

Thirsty one-year-old Mishra came to Gujarat eleven years ago from Bihar to study Communication Design at NID in Ahmedabad, and is one of the three candidates that the New Socialist Movement (NSM) has put in the fray.

The NSM is an offshoot of the Jan Sangharsh Manch, a civil rights organisation in Ahmedabad. All founding members of the Jan Sangharsh Manch have been working for the rights of riot victims.

On being asked about the reason for him taking a plunge in the poll fray, Pravin replies, "It is high time that educated youth take charge and take on the fascists in their headquarters."

Hitting his poll campaign trail on a tricycle rickshaw to reach about three lakh voters of the constituency, Mishra appeals to people to vote for a change.

"I am targeting the youth and the working class electorates in my constituency who have a moderate mind-set and are looking for a political change," he says.

Though electorate of Maninagar constituency are amused to see him, they feel that Mishra should first work in the area before taking a plunge in the electoral battle.

However, some of them welcome the young man since he is making right voices in a BJP stronghold.

ANI