Pollsutra 2012

By Sorit

1,35,149 In litres, countrymade and foreign liquor seized so far by special EC teams in collaboration with state excise departments in UP. The tipple was on its way, presumably, for
distribution to ‘influence’ voters.

"No Sidhuisms for me. I have my own ideas to connect.... Being a doctor, I have additional sensitivity."

—Navjot Kaur Sidhu BJP, Amritsar East,
The wife of ex-cricketer and BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu
says she’s keeping hubby’s witticisms on the backburner.

"Tilak lagao haathi par, baaki sab baisakhi (crutches) par."

—BSP slogan

Survey Projections

MODE poll for Congress

Punjab

Let It Down

BJP candidate from Ludhiana North, Praveen Bansal, sent the following text message to voters: “Support me and I will let you down.” (sic!) He soon realised the goof-up and sent a correction: “Due to server error, you got the wrong message. I regret it and assure you....”

Uttar Pradesh

One Way Ticket

Will she, won’t she? The BJP’s continued dilly-dallying over Uma Bharati’s role in the Uttar Pradesh elections is vexing to say the least. Till two weeks back, the party was sure the firebrand sadhvi would contest the polls from Jaunpur. This was till the time the infamous Babu Singh Kushwaha episode derailed election plans. Then came news from Haridwar, where Ms Bharati was in retreat, that the sadhvi has suspended her campaign over Kushwaha’s induction. Which, in turn, led to the BJP doing a rethink on giving him a ticket. While Uma was placated and convinced about coming back, the BJP in Delhi was told she’s made up her mind—she’ll not contest the polls. The latest news is that BJP president Nitin Gadkari, backed by his advisors, is hellbent on getting Uma Bharati to contest. Which is why Uma has been given a ticket from Charkhari in Bundelkhand. This will help boost BJP’s prospects in UP.

Goa

Cut Outs

In his long political career, Dr Wilfred de Souza has walked in and out of many parties. For the Goa assembly polls this time, Willy will be helming the Trinamool Congress, which is debuting here. The doctor, who was Congress CM twice in the ’90s, lost in Saligao constituency as the NCP candidate in ’07. He resigned as NCP’s Goa unit chief in June ’09. In the ’90s, he and Churchill Alemao, another ex-CM and a current minister, formed the Goa Congress which later merged with the Congress. Willy now says he will fight the “corrupt Congress” and the “communal BJP” in his current avatar. But very few are impressed. Churchill accused him of “senile behaviour” last year to which Willy, known to be adept with a scalpel in the operating room, said, “Till what class has Churchill studied to know about ageing and senility?” Ouch.

Uttarakhand

White Wave

The weather will play spoilsport in Uttarakhand, feels CM Maj Gen (retd) B.C. Khanduri. “The very timing of the poll is inappropriate for a state where heavy snowfall has already made many areas out of bounds,” he was heard complaining. Which is in some ways true, for right now there are many places which can’t even be accessed by helicopter. What is strange is the EC has chosen to completely ignore the fact that the Himalayan state received record snowfall this year. And all this just as the CM was set to undertake a few poll treks, taking a leaf out of his “fauji days”.

Manipur

Peace prayer

Hopefully, all the good karma will ensure a peaceful poll in restive Manipur. The All Manipur Christian Organisation recently organised a prayer session in Imphal for Christians contesting the coming elections. Candidates were advised not to indulge in poll malpractices like bribery, proxy voting and booth-rigging. “Christian candidates will also be blessed to ensure they work sincerely for the welfare of people,” AMCO chief Prim Vaiphei says. The group is also organising advocacy meetings for pastors to urge them to contribute to “free and fair polls”. Of the 60 outgoing legislators in the Manipur assembly, 20 are from areas predominately inhabited by Christians.

Punjab

It’s No High

Polls in Punjab are truly lacking in ‘spirit’ this time. Reason: the EC has been cracking down on candidates distributing liquor and opium. Election time has always meant parties setting up vends and the outlet with the popular brands attracting the largest crowds. But now the netas have become wary after a series of raids. A case was registered against ex-SGPC chief and SAD candidate from Bholath, Bibi Jagir Kaur, when 183 cases of whisky was seized from a tempo in her area. BJP candidate from Amritsar North Anil Joshi has been similarly booked for storing 294 bottles of liquor. The EC has so far confiscated 3.6 lakh litres of IMFL, 2,101 kgs of poppy husk, 82,782 bottles of country liquor and 8,580.5 kg of opium. A heady mix indeed.