Maroi (Sipajhar), April 6: Not everybody has it in them to engage the attention of the audience for hours together. However, this is one roadshow that makes you sit back and listen. No, we are not talking about some star performer. This is four-time-legislator Zoii Nath Sarma?s election campaign.

Sarma?s performance reminds one of Sekhar Suman, host of the popular TV show, Movers and Shakers. Like Suman, Sarma is a complete performer, better known for his in-your-face performance.

The soon-to-be-50 AGP legislator has been the mover as well as the shaker in his constituency since 1985. However, age is no deterrent for Sarma; he still casts a spell over his audience with his oratorial skills and sharp, witty remarks.

His support cast provides the right effect by playing the drum and cymbals in the background, adding to the excitement. Whether it is a roadside meeting or one in the satra nearby, there is never a dull moment when Sarma holds fort.

Those familiar with the Sarma roadshow say he fans the passion of his audience, women and youth being his prime targets. ?He can really work on the crowd. It is very difficult to pinpoint one reason for his winning the seat four times in a row,? says Robin Kalita.

The former minister, however, has the reasons on his fingertips. ?I have ensured jobs for at least 3,600 youths in my constituency without them having had to spend a single paise. I have also ensured that my constituency remains the only one in the state without a single wine shop. In my tenure as MLA, 10 important roads, spanning 182 km, were built. Another 190 km is under construction. More importantly, the people also love me for my academic qualifications (MCom, MBA, LLB and PhD, with first class marks).

Others who know him in this constituency of nine candidates and 1,42,869 voters feel he is a great survivor, despite the ebb and flow in his public life. ?Last time he even survived an attempt on his life while campaigning,? added Upen Sarma from the Burahat Namghar area.

So far so good. But despite the love and respect he commands, which is largely true, Sarma will be the first to admit that he is up against a very formidable opponent in the Congress? Binanda Saikia. In the 2001 elections, the win margin was very close, a mere 214 votes. It is evident when he says that he is campaigning from dawn to dusk.

Saikia, who has worked hard despite losing his debut election in 2001, is doing the same things as Sarma but in his own quiet style. He is also holding meetings at namghars and conducting door-to-door campaigns, irrespective of rain or shine.

?The progress is good. Last time I was a fresher but in the past five years I have taken the initiative to get some road projects cleared and setting up a power station. Because of my work, I have been able to campaign in my rival?s stronghold. The response has been encouraging. People want change. The rest is destiny,? says the soft-spoken Saikia.

Will Elections 2006 then be the end of the Sarma roadshow? It is too early to say which way the keenly-contested electoral battle will swing. The locals, though, are not complaining. They are finding the Sarma-Saikia tango captivating.