Half of the battle Alok Kumar Dubey had won the day he had bagged the Congress symbol for Hatia despite stiff protests from Subodh Kant Sahay, the party's former Ranchi MP and his enemy within.

The other half he will strive to win when the key Assembly seat votes on Tuesday.

Dubey, the Congress's state general secretary, isn't alien to back-stabbing by his bêtes noires, especially when Hatia is heavyweight Sahay's home turf. Despite being a poll debutante, he knew he needed to maintain his campaign tempo till the last minute - precisely 5pm on Sunday.

The candidate's first stop was Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo's residence in Ranchi. 'He blessed me and asked me to visit him again if I win,' Dubey told The Telegraph.

Next, he toured parts of the constituency like New Gandhinagar near Birsa Chowk where people know him.

Kanti Devi, an elderly resident and perhaps an acquaintance, tucked Rs 50 into his palm and quipped, ' Ab tu chunav-wala neta ho gele. Chunav jite ke baad ehan aihey aur jhooth na bolihey (Now, you have become an electioneering leader. You must visit us after you win and promise never to tell a lie).'

Soon dozens of others - both men and women - surrounded Dubey, pitching for an array of demands like BPL cards, water supply and proper sanitation. 'I am an ordinary and honest man fighting the polls without resources (like my rivals). It doesn't matter whether I win or lose, I will keep visiting you,' the Hatia hopeful told them.

A total of 29 candidates are in the fray from the hot seat, including sitting MLA and JVM nominee Navin Jaiswal, BJP's Seema Sharma and JMM's intellectual challenger Javed Ahmad.

Dubey is perhaps the only candidate who has not floated banners or hoisted hoardings. Campaign vehicles and heart-to-heart connect are his only tools. 'Even if God is fighting elections in Jharkhand, he will need money to please some people. I know my rivals have been pumping in cash. It is a tough fight, but I am confident,' he said.

Dubey's supporters will tell you how Sahay has been trying to 'scuttle' his chances. 'Dubey has dealt a big blow to Sahay. Even if he loses, he will remain a future claimant to the seat,' said one.

Despite constraints of cash and camaraderie, Dubey is sanguine of making a mark. 'All these years, I have built a rapport with people. I have stood by them in their joys and sorrows. They will vote for me,' he said.