Makar-Sankranti politicking, that’s just a lot of kite-flyin

However, officially, the party has kept a draft of its complaint to the Election Commission virtually ready. “I do not know if individuals will bring down the BJP kites tomorrow. As a party we do not believe in interference in the conduct of others.It is a democratic country and every one has the right to fly a kite,” says Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Gurunath Kulkarni.

The objection though, is on the score that the BJP kites should carry the party colours and particularly its election symbol. “Moreover, this is a blatant attempt to whip up the sentiments of the people using a religious date in the Hindu calendar to deliver a political message. The BJP is mixing religion with politics once again in a very crass manner. This is a violation of the electoral code of conduct. We will keep a strict watch. And if the party symbols are seen on the kites, we have decided to appeal to the EC to take adequate action against the BJP,” said Kulkarni.

The BJP, however, is unfazed and are going ahead with their unique celebrations. “How can this be a violation of the code of conduct?” asked an outraged spokesperson of the party. “Everybody flies kites on Sankranti day. So will we. It is our fundamental right,” said Mukund Kulkarni, a state unit office bearers. According to Mukund, the kites will only have the party symbols and will not bear the names of the BJP’s Lok Sabha candidates. “If their names were on those kites, then it could amount to a violation of the code. This is a just a party programme on Sankranti day.”

While the Election Commission might need to look up the rule books to check if the novel electoral squabble actually violates the code, Somaiyya has an escape route ready. He played safe by stating that the kite flying is “individual pariticpation” and not official. “Every year people fly kites on Sankranti. And every year we participate,” he said. This year, however, a few lotuses are likely to mingle with the routine kites allowed to soar from Chowpatty in South Mumbai, he said. “This is not a party programme,” he added, though the BJP has issued invitations on its letterheads for the event.

“Let us see,” was his cryptic comment to warnings from rival parties that even one lotus might then queer the pitch for the party candidate from South Mumbai.