BJP struggles to counter Seshan-speak

GANDHINAGAR, AUG 23: Former Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan's headlong plunge into the electoral battle in Gandhinagar constituenc...

GANDHINAGAR, AUG 23: Former Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan8217;s headlong plunge into the electoral battle in Gandhinagar constituency has suddenly changed the scenario, raising the prospects of a keen and glamourous contest.

The Congress decision to field Seshan from this prestigious constituency has caught the BJP off guard, forcing them to activate their poll machinery. For, they have to counter his wit and sarcasm, of which he has given ample evidence in the first few days of campaigning. Seshan threatens to erode the clout that the BJP has always enjoyed in Gandhinagar. His utterances, punctuated by his unparalleled sense of humour, immediately after filing his nomination papers, appear to have gone down well even among the babus working in the various government departments in Gandhinagar. 8220;I have been voting for the BJP in successive elections but will now opt for Seshan, who has done yeoman service to the country by bringing about radical electoral reforms,8221; says Ramesh Mehta, a Governmentemployee.

Arun Buch, president of the Gandhinagar Vasahat Mahamandal, a body of leading citizens, feels that a sizable chunk of government employees, who have been a traditional BJP vote bank, may this time turn to Seshan. 8220;Most of them are fed up with politicians; they may now want to test another man,8221; says Buch, a retired government official.

He alleges that Advani has only been doling out promises to resolve long-pending problems of Gandhinagar. The upgradation of Gandhinagar railway station and its direct rail link with Delhi, a full-time telecast of DD-2 and post offices for the newly created sectors are some promises Advani has not kept, he says. But Minister of State for Home Haren Pandya argues that Advani has nursed his constituency well. 8220;Most of his MP8217;s discretionary fund has been utilised for providing basic facilities to voters. Seshan8217;s presence will make little difference. He would have caused some trouble for us had he contested as an Independent,8221; says Pandya.

But a sense of panicis visible in the party. Almost daily, statements are being issued, accusing Seshan of violating the code of conduct and projecting him as the 8220;enemy of Gujarat8221;; it is alleged that he had stalled environmental clearance for the Narmada project during his tenure as Environment Secretary.

Gandhinagar is the second largest constituency in Gujarat, with an electorate of 18,32,964, covering seven Assembly segments, all represented by the BJP. The caste factor has been favouring the BJP in this constituency, which has over 24 per cent Patels, followed by the Scheduled Caste 19.59 per cent, Kshatriyas 16.53 per cent, Muslims about 8 per cent and OBCs 8.93 per cent. The Congress is banking on the SC, Kshatriya and Muslim votes to tilt the scales this time. The recent riots in Ahmedabad have apparently instilled a sense of insecurity among Muslims, while the merger of Shankarsinh Vaghela8217;s Rashtriya Janata Party in the Congress is expected to swing Kshatriya votes in the party8217;s favour.

8220;Muslims maynot be averse to voting for the BJP to enable Atal Behari Vajpayee to retain the prime ministership. But associated with the BJP are Sangh Parivar forces which tried to communalise Kargil and created disturbances,8221; says Muzaffar Hussein, a trader in Dariyapur-Kazipur.

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A sizeable population of Kshatriyas Thakores lives in the rural areas surrounding Gandhinagar. Both Vaghela and Madhavsinh Solanki, who wield considerable influence among them, have decided to address a series of public meetings in favour of Seshan.

Former AUDA chairman and RJP leader Nawtarlal Patel, who is now in the Congress, has a good following among the Patel-dominated pockets of Sabarmati and Nava Vadaj.

8220;Hindus in this politically aware constituency have started questioning the BJP leadership as to why it is not fulfilling its poll promise of renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati, when Bombay has been changed to Mumbai and Madras to Chennai,8221; contends Patel. That may not be much of an issue, but there is another, which could createproblems for Advani. Farmers living in the vicinity of the constituency are unhappy over the BJP-dominated Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority8217;s decision to take away half of their agricultural land for town planning schemes.