Smithereens

Countdown to 16th May May 14, 2009

The countdown to 16th May, the day of vote counts, is nearing its end. Though I am not too much excited about the overall outcome of this election but all I am currently concerned is about a stable government at the center which can provide the much needed confidence to stock market and can take some positive steps for the ailing economy.

However, there are a few things worth watching out, in to be announced results on 16th May:

1. In the extreme north, for the first time after 1987′s (allegedly) rigged assembly elections, a separatist leader is out to seek people’s mandate. Sajjad Lone, son of late Abdul Gani Lone (a moderate Hurriyat leader who was assassinated by militants in 2002) is contesting from Baramula-Kupwara Parliamentary constituency. He is repeatedly being quoted in media of having said that he would be taking an oath under Indian constitution with a ‘heavy heart‘.

The important thing here is that result of this seat would provide us a clue about the nerve of Kashmir Valley. His win would mean that a separatist sentiment is on the rise while his losing would mean that people have voted for unity and integrity of India.

2. Rampur has been in limelight for most of this poll season. Despite being one of the few Muslim majority constituencies in the country, it is worth noticing that it sent Jaya Prada of SP, who is also supposedly an outsider, to the Lok Sabha in last general elections. This time her path has been rendered difficult due to opposition by regional heavyweight, SP’s rebel leader Azam Khan, who is covertly supporting Congress.

The point I am trying to make is that if she is re-elected it would be a win for her development-centered campaign when both region & religion are hampering her prospects.

3. Finally, not so flamboyant is the constituency of Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh (which, incidently, is my native place) where a four-cornered contest is typical of any constituency in the state. Here, 3 times municipal chairman BJP’s Mithilesh Agarwal (she also happens to be the manager of my former school) in hand-to-hand combat with the former UPCC chief Salman Khurshid, former power minister and regional heavyweight BSP’s Naresh Agrawal and 2 times sitting MP Chandrabhushan Singh of SP.

The interesting thing about this seat is that Mithilesh ma’am has won the municipal elections for 3 times in past 15 years as an independent candidate, solely on the basis of her reputation as a non-corrupt leader who has wonders for the town in terms of providing basic amenities like roads, water etc. However, unlike others, she does not have support of any particular caste by her side and hence her win would solely mean a vote for development and progress.

PS1: The three cases cited above represent the most important characteristics of Indian politics viz Region, Religion, Caste and Separatism and a mandate in these three would be a litmus test for Indian Politics’ and voters’ maturity.