Unlike Indian electioneering where there used to be a lot of colour, band bazaa and baraat, elections to the Madhya Pradesh Assembly seems to be colourless, tasteless and odourless, at least this time round! Whether this trend reflects disillusionment of electorates? Or credit should go to the Election Commission, which has taken numerous measures to restrict nuisances which used to dominate the electioneering previously. Amid these hotchpotch circumstances the million dollar question moving round the public domain is which way the wind will blow?
DULLNESS SPREADS HERE AND THERE
Chhatri Chowk area of Ujjain, which used to witness assembly of people every night in view of election chat, has no longer remained so as less number of people turn-ups there now. FP PHOTO
With only 4 days left for the polling day (November 28), still more than 60-70 per cent electorates seems to be not involved in the electioneering. Though both the arch rival parties BJP and Congress and their contesting candidates have thrown their complete strength to woo the voters and the scenario is not identical to that of November 15 where total dullness was hovering around the election arena. Candidates of other parties viz SAPAKS, SP, BSP, GGP and even the independent candidates have also taken the poll campaigning to the peak, yet traditional USP is missing in this election.
NOW PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF ‘ECI’
Credibility of TN Seshan appears to be increasing election-after-election. When Seshan happened to be Election Commissioner of India, people came to about the true and effective role of ECI. Over the years, incidents of booth capturing, rigging, etc, curtailed to a certain level. Manual voting system converted into electronic voting system. People could understand the value of ECI observers. Enforcement of Model Code of Conduct and Defacement of Property Act enabled the electioneering peaceful, free and fair to a great extent. Open violation of rules and regulations has almost come to standstill now.
OFFICE OF POLITICAL PARTIES WEAR DESERTED LOOK
The divisional headquarters of BJP at Lokshakti Bhavan, Ujjain, which witnessed turmoil before ticket distribution lacks activities at the time when the election campaigning entered in its final phase. FP PHOTO
The offices of political parties which were quite vibrant before November 9 (last day of filing of nomination papers) have almost worn a deserted look now. You will find leaders of the parties in disarray owing to the reasons best known to them. Public places where people use to assemble till late night looks having lost the inclination towards election chat. Scenes at pan shops, restaurants and libraries are also not different. People just respond to the contesting candidates when they approach them for vote, but do not accompany them to a particular place or destination for displaying their support.
NO CHARISMA
Ksheer Sagar Colony located office of Congress party wears a deserted look. FP PHOTO
Low turnout in the election rallies and meetings of star campaigners have brought restless nights for the managers of prominent political parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, BJP national president Amit Shah, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, his counterpart in Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, former CM Digvijaya Singh, Pradesh Congress Committee campaign committee chairman Jyotiraditya Scindia, BJP election management committee chairman Narendra Singh Tomar, Bollywood stars Hema Malini and Raj Babbar have campaigned in Malwa region, but received lukewarm response.
WHY NO SLOGANEERING?
Now question arises, why the election scenario is different and typical this time as compared to previous elections? Why there is no characterisation this time? Why sloganeering is missing? Why customary jalwa is absent from this election? To keep its 15-year-old hustings, the BJP is fighting toughest battle, but none of its star campaigners has given any major assurance. Likewise, Congress party which is claiming to end its vanwaas also restrained to make such promises which cannot be fulfilled if it voted for power. BJP wants to retain power and Congress wants to regain power, but without making lucrative offers?
YOU CAN’T READ BETWEEN THE LINES
“ECI’s strictness has controlled different types of nuisances which used to prevail earlier. Unnecessary sounds used to trouble people during previous elections. But, effects of enforcement of Model Code of Conduct and Defacement of Property Act can be seen at ground level now. Now, ECI observers keep close vigil on expenditure of every contesting candidate. Decades ago there used to be dominance of only one party that is Congress, but after the emergence of second party that is BJP race for power has increased manifold.
However, ugly political discourse has given rise to a sort of disillusionment among public. Sober and qualified people do not find space in electoral politics. Amid deformation and intolerance, only ECI pumps hope among voters for fair election. Presently, no one can see any wave blowing in favour or against anybody. In fact, multi-corner fight has created unclear picture and, thus, it is very difficult to know the mood of an electorate.”
— Dr. Mohan Gupt, Retired divisional commissioner, Ujjain
POLL PERCENTAGE BOUND TO INCREASE
“Neither BJP nor Congress seem to be very confident to clinch the kursi that’s why their election campaigning is witnessing a different format this time. So far, as the electorates are concerned, they appeared in a state of fatigue in wake of 15 years of continuation of power of a single party in the state. Ruling party is suffering from infighting and its rank and file are not also so active, which they used to remain previously.
But, Congress is facing drawbacks due to lack of organisational structure, committed workers, fund and paraphernalia. However, keen contest is most likely to be held across the state. Polling percentage is bound to increase and going by the example of Chhattisgarh where more than 72-73 percent electorates exercised their franchise recently, polling percentage in Madhya Pradesh may touch 75-78 percent mark. Despite disillusionment, people are quite concerned about their right. An average electorate has become so sharp now that he makes formality only when a contesting candidate knocks his door for vote and support.”
— Dr Yatindra Singh Sisodiya, Director, MP Institute of Social Science Research, Ujjain