Festive look of poll is missing this time
PrashantNews
With only eight days left for the April 19 Lok Sabha elections in Uttarakhand, the electioneering is going at a slow pace as the festive look of the poll is still missing.
In the capital Dehradun, the scene is mainly bereft of the hubbub of the election campaign with most of the leaders resorting to occasional rallies and road shows. “In our area there is no hustle and bustle of the elections,” said S K Sharma, a residence of Vijay Colony in Dehradun.
Birendra Rautela, who is an avid watcher of the elections, also said the electioneering is dull this time. “I have not noticed any election crescendo this time at least in Dehradun,” said Rautela, a BSNL employee.
However, the election is hotting up in the mainstream media and social media platforms.
In most of the five seats in the hill state, the contest is straight between the ruling BJP and Congress. In all the constituencies, the candidates are mostly relying on rallies and road shows.
The poll graffiti, posters, stickers and banners that give the elections a festive look are missing with most of the leaders of BJP and Congress busy in attacking each other on different issues ranging from Ram Temple, Article 370, Agniveer, Silkayara tunnel, Joshimath subsidence and Ankita Bhandari murder case.
“Ab ki bar 400 paar” (this time 400 will be crossed), shrieked BJP’s graffiti on some walls in Dehradun. Congress’ banners and posters are still missing.
As per the Election Commission (EC) guidelines, political parties and candidates can use easily removable stickers, flags and banners on private properties for poll campaign with the consent of the owner of such properties, top officials said.
Interestingly, Congress has converted a portion of its headquarters at Rajpur Road into election office of the Tehri constituency.
The main battle appeared to be in the Pauri-Garhwal constituency where BJP spokesman Anil Balooni is pitted against former Congress state chief Ganesh Godiyal. Both the parties are claiming victories in Pauri.
In Haridwar, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat has launched all out efforts to drum up support for his son Birendra, who is making his election debut in this seat having sizeable Muslim population. Birendra is facing a stiff challenge from former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat (BJP).
In rest of the three seats, Tehri, Nainital and Almora – the BJP candidates Mala Rajlakshmi Shah, Ajay Bhatt and Ajay Tamta is having an edge over the rivals.
BJP has celebrated a white wash of 5-0 victory twice since 2014 against Congress. In 2009, Congress had swept the polls with 5-0 victory.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to address his second election rally in Rishikesh today. A week earlier, he had addressed an impressive rally in Rudrapur in Udhamsingh Nagar district to give momentum to the BJP’s campaign. BJP President J P Nadda has already addressed three election rallies in the state.
On the other hand, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would address an election rally on April 13 in Pauri and Haridwar constituencies. There is suspense over the visit of Rahul Gandhi in the state.
Election campaign has shifted to social media. Expenditure is less on social media networks as compared to publishing of banners and hordings. Besides every voter now has smart mobile phones. They can assess all candidates easily. This seems to be main reason behind lack luster campaign this time.
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