In the last five years, the factories of Samrat Bicycle, Usha Rectifier, a pipe factory, Malvika Steel Plant and Vespa Scooter have shut down; over 50,000 people have lost their jobs.

R P Saroj, a former employee of the Malvika Steel Plant, holds fort at the local Congress office.

When asked why he is campaigning for Gandhi in spite of the fact that the MP has done little to address the issue of job losses, Saroj says, "I got the job when I was 26, when Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister. If I have lost the job now, it is fine. The Steel Authority of India Limited has taken over our company and it will restart soon."

Image: Congress supporters campaign for Rahul. Photographs: Hitesh Harisinghani.

Also see: In the city of statues, Mayawati's word is law | Coverage: India Votes 2009

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