Pradeep Tamta, a close aide of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, hopes to win a second term from Almora constituency. Tamta, who was active in the Chipko movement and the anti-liquor campaign, spoke to Shemin Joy of Deccan Herald over phone amid his campaign. 

This is the second time you are taking on the BJP’s Ajay Tamta. What are your chances?We have the support of the people and we will win comfortably.

Last time, you won with a slender margin and the BJP is upbeat this time. How confident are you about the margin of victory?

This time, my margin will increase. There is no doubt about it.

What is your take on your opponent?

Before I won in 2009, the BJP was representing the constituency for 19 years. They did nothing to improve the situation in Almora. My BJP opponent was being prepared by the party to fight this election for the last five years, but he has not been able to contribute to the development of the Assembly constituency he is representing. Whatever progress this constituency has witnessed, it is because of the Congress.

Do you see a Modi wave? Is it bothering you?

I have not seen any Modi wave in Uttarakhand. People are not attracted to Modi or his ideology. He is making big claims but people are not buying it. Our chief minister has been working at the grassroot level for several years. The Congress has done many things for the welfare of the people. If there is a wave in Uttarakhand, it is Harish Rawat wave. 
What are the issues you want to focus on?

As a hill state, we have our own peculiar problems. We need more Central funds for several development activities. Then there is a need to further improve infrastructure in education and connectivity. There is a problem in improving the agricultural sector.

 People are finding no future in agriculture. There is a problem of migration. Plans have to be devised to revive agriculture in the hill terrain. There will be special focus on this. The road and rail infrastructure also needs to be improved so that the tourism industry is benefited. Another priority area is building infrastructure for higher education.