Arvind Singh Thakur, a pharmacist who worked in Mumbai for a decade before returning to his native Ballia in 2012, is astounded by the “change” witnessed by Uttar Pradesh in the last five years.
“Look, how fast the Lucknow Metro was built, and the six-lane highway. Road, rail and river — they are the three most essential elements required for economic development. If we have these, then we will not need to migrate in future,” says Mr. Thakur.
He lavishes praise on Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, but in the same breath also calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi his “hero.” “If it was Mulayam versus Modi, I would have picked Modi,” says the 35-year-old.
Mr. Thakur is eating bati-chokha (a popular Purvanchal snack) at a little stall in Rasra, one of the seven Assembly constituencies in Ballia. And as is common in this part of the country, his open views soon trigger a full-scale political discussion among those present. One of the most vocal is Arvind Prasad, a Baniya youth, also 35 years old, who feels that under the Akhilesh Yadav government, traders do not feel safe.
“There is no guarantee. Anything can happen. Traders live in fear. When we dial the 100 helpline number, the police do not reach on time,” says Mr. Prasad.
Slams ‘casteist’ politics
Though he recalls the initial hard days caused by demonetisation, he lauds the decision, saying it should be carried out every ten years. As importantly, he dismisses the BJP’s opponents for their “casteist” politics. “The only person who can bring in development is Modi,” he says.
The BSP’s supporters also chip in. Among them is Bhagwan Das, a Noniya Chauhan (backward caste) labourer. He is critical of the Modi government for failing to fulfil its promises and strongly favours the BSP’s candidate and incumbent MLA Uma Kant Singh. “Each year, he organises marriages of poor girls, irrespective of their religion, and also helps the poor with cash,” says Bhagwan Das.
Interestingly, the candidates supported by the above three respondents do not belong to their castes. If the SP has fielded a Brahmin, both the BSP and BJP have Thakurs.
Though seat-wise equations may change, as reflected by the conversation at the bati-chokha stall in Rasra, things are poised for a three-way battle as U.P. votes in the sixth phase today, when 49 seats will go to the polls. Out of these, the SP holds a commanding 27, while the BSP has nine, the BJP seven, the Congress holds four, and other parties have the remaining two. As equations change, this time, the SP is contesting 40 seats while its ally Congress is fielding candidates in nine.
The BJP is fighting on 45 seats, leaving the rest for its allies — if the Kurmi-based Apna Dal is fighting one, on three seats the Rajbhar-driven Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) will test its luck. The BSP is fighting all seats.
At the focus of this phase is Azamgarh, the Lok Sabha constituency of Mulayam Singh, where the SP won nine out of 10 seats last time. Though CM Akhilesh Yadav held seven rallies on the same day in the district, his party appears to be on a sticky wicket in Azamgarh due to a number of factors, including dissatisfaction over ticket distribution and the disenchantment of Muslims.
The family feud also weighs heavily as Mulayam himself shied away from campaigning. The BSP hopes to make huge dents in Azamgarh this time, with a smart selection of candidates, the support of the Rashtriya Ulema Council, and the induction of the Ansari brothers. The last two factors are expected to boost its vote among Muslims. The BJP, on the other hand, hopes to gain from its alliance with the SBSP, which has substantial clout among the Rajbhar community that is concentrated in many seats in this phase.
Another highlight of this phase would be the fate of controversial Mau MLA Mukhtar Ansari, whose son Abbas is making his debut from Ghosi.
