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Journalism of Courage
A SEPARATE STATE FOR VIDARBHA?
Almost from the beginning of the formation of the state of Maharashtra around 50 years ago, there have been movements for the formation of a separate state of Vidarbha. Various political parties have blown hot and cold on the issue over the years and that continues to be the case today. It is only the Shiv Sena that has stated that it is opposed to the creation of a separate Marathi speaking state.
8226; Alliance more likely to create Vidarbha: Since the Shiv Sena, the lead partner in the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, has expressed its opposition to a separate state, the voters believe the Congress-NCP dispensation is more likely to lead them to a separate state.
THE BEST DALIT LEADER
Vidarbha has a large Dalit population and it is this factor, among others, that led Mayawati to enter the electoral fray in the Lok Sabha elections. Almost all the Dalit parties in Maharashtra seek inspiration from the memory of B.R. Ambedkar but they have broken up into several small factions over the years, each with a restricted sphere of influence. This also helped persuade Mayawati to seek an entry into Vidarbha 8212; and into the rest of Maharashtra.
It is clear that, in this short spell of time, with her fame and her resources, she is regarded by Vidarbha voters as the best Dalit leader for Maharashtra, leaving the home-grown leaders far behind in her wake.
MARATHWADA DRINKING WATER SITUATION
This region of Maharashtra, bordering Andhra Pradesh, has suffered from droughts over the past few years. The farmers have suffered and there is a massive drinking water shortage. When asked whether the availability of drinking water had improved or worsened over the past five years, just over 50 per cent faulted the government for deterioration on the supply of drinking water. But as many as 47 per cent believed the situation had actually got better.
BETTER PROTECTOR OF MARATHA INTEREST
Over the past few years, both alliances have made serious attempts to win over the large politically powerful Maratha lobby. While traditionally, the Marathas in this region were with the Congress, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has made sustained efforts over the past decade or two to win them over. And, by a 32 majority, the voters of Marathwada see the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance as the protector of the interests of the Marathas.
NORTH MAHARASHTRA
BETTER PROTECTOR OF THE INTEREST OF TRIBALS
The northern part of Maharashtra has a significant tribal population. Traditionally, the tribals have been Congress supporters but, over the past few years, the BJP has made significant inroads into the tribal areas not only in Maharashtra but also in the contiguous states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Thus, today, almost 50 per cent of the voters see the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance as the best party to protect the interests of the tribals.
MALNUTRITION DEATHS
Like many of the tribal areas in the country, this area is plagued by poverty and malnutrition and there are frequent reports of starvation deaths from these areas. For this, a large number of people blame the Congress-NCP dispensation.
KONKAN
JOBS FOR LOCALS
Konkan is described by many as the 8216;8216;money order economy8217;8217;. Due to lack of opportunities, many people in this area move to larger cities in the state to find work.
The Shiv Sena has, over the years, been promoting a 8216;8216;jobs for Locals8217;8217; campaign, and the voters see the campaign not as a political gimmick but as a relevant response to their problems.
KONKAN RAILWAY
The idea of Konkan Railway was originally propagated by the Socialists who dominated the political landscape of Konkan for several decades after Independence. However, their contribution to Konkan Railway has been forgotten and it has been successfully appropriated by the currently dominant political force in Konkan, the Shiv Sena.
ENRON ISSUE
Konkan is also home to the Enron power project at Dabhol. Voters of Konkan believe it is more the Congress-NCP alliance that is responsible for the problem.
Enron: who is responsible?
8226; Congress-NCP: 44
8226; BJP-Shiv Sena:27
8226; Both: 32
WESTERN MAHARASHTRA
THE SUGAR INDUSTRY
This sugar belt is the biggest bastion of the Congress-NCP, which has dominated the co-operative movement that has its base in the sugar industry. Many of the top leaders of Maharashtra, such as Y.B. Chavan, Vasantdada Patil and Sharad Pawar hail from this part of the state.
So, it is not surprising to find that a majority of the voters in this area see the Congress-NCP combine as the benefactor of farmers. While 60 per cent hold the Congress-NCP responsible for the current woes of the sugar industry, almost the same number feel the government is doing enough to tackle the drought situation in the region.
Better protector of the interest of farmers
8226; Congress-NCP: 59
8226; BJP-Shiv Sena: 41
Responsible for sugar industry problems:
8226; Congress-NCP: 59
8226; BJP-Shiv Sena:41
BOMBAY
THE SLUMS
The Shiv Sena was born in Bombay and it has headed the local government for many years. The city has many local problems and one of the biggest is the large population that lives in the slums of the city. Every few years, there is a drive to regularise some of the slums. When asked about this, two thirds preferred the regularisation of the slums.
THE MILL WORKERS
Until a couple of decades ago, the city housed a large number of textile mills which had offered employment to lakhs of workers. Then they started turning sick and were taken over by the government or closed. Over the past few years, some of the mill owners have developed their lands but the woes of many of the textile workers continue as they have not been paid their dues. This has caused considerable social unrest in the city.
The voters feel it is the Congress-NCP that has done more for the cause of the mill workers than the BJP-Shiv Sena.
Who has done more for mill workers:
8226; Congress-NCP: 49
8226; BJP-Shiv Sena: 26
8226; Both: 25
SAFE CITY
The city8217;s media regularly reports incidents of violence and extortion and of gangland wars and encounter deaths. Yet a vast majority of the voters feels safe living in the city; not only that, they also feel the city has become a safer and a better place to live in over the past five years.
Safe city?
8226; Yes: 74
8226; No: 26
Safer than five years ago?
8226; Yes: 58
8226; No: 19
8226; No change: 23
Better to live in than five years ago?
8226; Yes: 77
8226; No: 23
The Indian Express-Loksatta-NDTV opinion poll; fieldwork by MODE
