In Modi land, JD(U) man plays Kaanta lagaa for votes

While parties try the roadshow and rally routine to garner votes, this Janata Dal (U) candidate in Ahmedabad showed the one trick up his sle...

While parties try the roadshow and rally routine to garner votes, this Janata Dal (U) candidate in Ahmedabad showed the one trick up his sleeve. Contesting his first election, former Ahmedabad DCP Ambalal Chauhan hired some dancers to jive at his meeting on Thursday. And that certainly grabbed eyeballs, if not votes, with those gathered swaying to Kaanta Lagaa.

Taking centrestage was 22-year-old Manisha Shah, a member of the All-Gujarat Music Artists’ Association. Asked what is the connection between Kaanta Lagaa and elections, she says: ‘‘People will like my performance and vote for him.’’

When asked if raunchy numbers can help him, Chauhan says: ‘‘Why not? If people are entertained for sometime between my speeches, they will pay more attention to what I say.’’ Chauhan is aware of the controversy the number created, but he says: ‘‘The main reason why people have come here is to hear my speech. These performances are just secondary.’’

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But Ravindra Chauhan, a shopowner, says: ‘‘That’s not true. This area is a BJP stronghold. We are here just to entertain ourselves. It has been a long time since such performances took place.’’ Another resident, Siddharth Patel, who says he enjoyed the show, had this to add: ‘‘Who knows JD(U)? I am here to watch the show.’’

But the candidate says: ‘‘The BJP and Congress have shown apathy towards the common man. Whether they vote for me or not, I will be happy that I could give them some satisfaction through these shows.’’