Voter's power weighs heavy over Das's money power

LUCKNOW: "...aaj ke jalson mei Bismil ek goonga gaa raha, aur bahron ka rella nachta mehfil mei hai...," Pragat Kumar, a school teacher, sings this satirical parody from the recent Bollywood flick `Gulal' to describe the state of lawlessness and unfairness in the Lok Sabha elections in Lucknow.
The parody based on the legendary Urdu couplet by freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil -- "Sarfaroshi ki tammana ab humare dil mei hai..." -- says Kumar, explains how aam aadmi has become voiceless today and how government machinery has turned a blind eye to the unfair practices being blatantly used by ruling party candidate Akhilesh Das in the elections for Lucknow Lok Sabha seat.
Das was first accused of making sexist and personal remarks against SP nominee Nafisa Ali. Thereafter, he was charged with using money power to sway voters and trying to manoeuvre media. It was followed by allegations that an artificial organisation allegedly formed at his behest was issuing appeals on caste, communal and regional lines for people to vote for Das.
Now, the BSP heavyweight has been accused of misusing government machinery to influence the elections. Though complaints were lodged in all the above cases with the returning officer (district magistrate) and the chief election officer of UP, no significant action has so far been taken by the state machinery against Das, even as Lucknow goes to poll on Thursday.
On Wednesday, UP Congress Committee president and party candidate from Lucknow, Rita Bahuguna Joshi shot off a complaint to the chief election officer alleging that Das was distributing clothes, utensils etc in slums under the patronage of police officers. Das has also been accused of threatening Congress workers and forcibly removing flags from their houses/offices.
Joshi has claimed of having definite information that some officers have been entrusted with the responsibility of managing polling booths for BSP. Locals and minorities are being coerced to vote for BSP, she alleged.In sensitive areas, police is being deployed instead of Central forces. Voter list is being manipulated, Joshi has alleged in her complaint demanding immediate action.
Meanwhile, Bhartiya Punarnirman Dal (BPD), formed by ex-IITians, also lodged a complaint with the returning officer stating that Das was seen campaigning even after the deadline ended on Tuesday evening. They showed leaflets addressed to individual voters with name and address being delivered at each and every household. "This is a clear violation of the election code of conduct," said Ravi Shankar, BPD candidate from Lucknow.
On the other hand, former minister and Congress leader Naresh Chandra denied that Kayastha organisations in Lucknow have appealed to vote for Das. "Not a single MLA in BSP of total 217 is a Kayastha. Nor is there any Kayastha minister in Maya cabinet, hence community will not vote for BSP," he said claiming that Kayastha will exercise their franchise judiciously.
Parvatiya Mahaparishad has also raised objection that Das got misleading news items published claiming that he was getting support of Uttarakhandis in Lucknow. Nalin Phillips, ex-UP minority commission member, has also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission that his name has been fraudulently used by Das for issuing a vote appeal for Christian community.
Das has, however, denied all these. Instead, he has accused BJP candidate Lalji Tandon of using money and muscle power as well as communal appeal to woo voters. Regarding SP and Congress candidates, Das said that being outsiders they are in no way in the fight. He said that he has been asking people to elect a friend and not a leader. "I was and will always be there for Lucknowites," he added.
Das, however, had the advantage of a head-start since he had been preparing for elections for the last one-and-a-half-years reaching out to every household in the constituency with Diwali, Holi and Eid gifts. His initiative to start an ambulance service and water points in summers were also appreciated. But the blatant display of money power by him during elections has irked many.
"It's true that the way Das has tried to sway voters by manipulating media and using 5Ps (paisa, pouch (desi liquor), promises, police and power) for wooing over four lakh slum dwellers in Lucknow has left many in the civil society and intelligentsia agitated. But it is also a fact that such people don't vote in elections and prefer to enjoy holiday at home," said Kumar.
"One can't expect slum dwellers to resist the temptation of 5Ps. Varun's hate speeches and Samajwadi Party's bonhomie with Babri Mosque demolition convict Kalyan Singh would compel Muslims to vote for the BSP or the candidate who can defeat BJP. The BJP too is eager to polarise Hindu votes. Officers know what will happen if they don't dance to the tune of ruling party," said Kumar raising a question -- In such circumstances aam aadmi has the power of vote but will he/she use it judicially?