Confused over anti-deal posture, Advani146;s voters seek other issues

The current political imbroglio triggered by the controversial nuclear deal has little impact on the common voter in...

The current political imbroglio triggered by the controversial nuclear deal has little impact on the common voter in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency of BJP8217;s prime ministerial candidate L K Advani. In fact, most of the voters are not even aware of the nitty-gritty of the nuke deal issue.

Thus, while there8217;s a political game going on in New Delhi on the nuclear deal and the fate of the Government, the people here are more concerned about rising prices, unemployment, and lack of basic amenities.

8220;Since the BJP wields a considerable influence in most parts of this constituency, Advani should not have any problem in getting elected from here,8221; said Arun Buch, president of the Gandhinagar Shaher Vasahat Mahamandal, an umbrella body of local NGOs. He added that a discussion on nuclear deal controversy or the impending confidence vote in Parliament is confined to the intellectuals, with the common voter oblivious of the controversy. Hafiz Harsolia, an automobile dealer, however, claims to be one of the 8220;more aware8221; voters. He feels that the nuclear deal is good for the country and should not be made into a political issue. 8220;If the Congress launches a mass-awareness campaign on the N-deal, it will certainly gain politically across the country. But in this constituency, the Congress is weak, enabling Advani to win.8221;

8220;It was the previous BJP-led NDA regime that had initiated the process of the nuclear deal with the US. Had the BJP stuck to its earlier stand and extended support to the UPA Government on this contentious issue, the party would have increased its tally in the coming Lok Sabha polls not only in Gujarat, but also in other states8221;, claimed Buch.

Added a senior BJP leader, 8220;Instead of the nuclear deal, our party should concentrate on issues that have a direct impact on the common man.8221;

Maganbhai Patel, state general secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, the BJP8217;s farmers8217; wing, conceded that the farmers in the state face power shortage, and that the nuclear deal might provide a solution to their problem. The BKS leader, however, hastened to add, 8220;We will have to accord top priority to our country8217;s security and integrity before signing any such deal.8221;

Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency

8226;This is the fifth time that NDA8217;s prime ministerial candidate L K Advani will be contesting from this constituency.

Story continues below this ad

8226;The total electorate in the constituency is a little over 15.31 lakh.

8226;Of its total seven Assembly segments, only two 8212; Gandhinagar North and Kalol 8212; fall in Gandhinagar district. The other five are in Ahmedabad.

8226;A performance audit of Advani8217;s tenure since 1993 shows that he had utilised 90.53 per cent of the MPLAD funds in his constituency.

8226;During his tenure as the deputy PM, Advani had failed to get Gandhinagar a direct rail link to New Delhi.