Lok Sabha elections 2009:Gujarat Poll Bytes(8)

Cows in Vadodara say, “Elect BJP to save us”

Among many tricks applied by political parties to get attention of the people during election propaganda, I found Vadodara BJP’s one specific trick remarkable. Vadodara BJP’s maldhari morcha workers tied banners on cows. “To save me, please elect BJP” was written on each banner. Congress, as usual complained againt the BJP for using of animal in campaign.

Modi’s final answer on “Budhiya” controversy is here

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is master of words. Media gave extra ordinary coverage to his “Budhiya” remark. When asked why he used a word “Budhiya” for Congress, Narendra Modi in his interview with ‘Sahara Samay Live’ replied, “If I say Congress is 125-year-old party in English language, it’s fine for everyone. But if I want to say the same in Hindi, how would I say it? Obviously, I would say that the Congress is 125 year old Budhiya. So that’s what I said. Tell me what’s wrong in it.”

BJP is proud but not loud about it’s manifesto!

I was listening to Narendra Modi’s recent speeches online and wondered, why he does not mention anything from BJP’s election manifesto. According to my observations, during entire poll season till now, the best day for the BJP was a day when it’s excellent manifesto was released. But surprisingly, BJP leaders are not using anything from manifesto in their speeches. I think, the proposed income tax limit in BJP’s manifesto can win hearts of middle class people. This should be mentioned loudly in every urban rally. The BJP has promised to take specific actions on illegal Bangladeshis in India within 100 days if elected to power. This issue is also appealing. While Narendra Modi narrates list of misdeeds of the UPA government in his every rally, he should also talk about what is NDA’s agenda to correct the things, if elected to power.

Modi liked first phase turn out

First phase of voting was over on Thursday. On Friday, Narendra Modi was in Dahod to address a rally. Talking with media persons near a stage, he said that according to his experience and judgment, firs phase polling was fruitful for BJP and NDA. Modi was happy with overwhelmingly well percentage of voters turn out.

Leaders who communicate only through media!

Central Finance minister P.Chidambaram was in Ahmedabad, just to address a press conference. A couple of day before, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in Mumbai just to address a press conference. It seems that Congress big wigs want to fight ‘Lok Sabha 2009 Mahayuddh’ just through a media. Neither Manmohan Singh in Mumbai, nore Chidambaram in Ahmedabad address any public rally. This is a new trend and perhaps the first Prime Minister in India, not good enough to hold a public rally.

When I ask, how many seat to which party in Gujarat?

How many seats BJP will secure in this election in Gujarat? This is the most frequently asked question nowadays across the state. However, nobody is in position to judge exact figure. My one neutral journalist friend says, “according to assembly results of year 2007, BJP should win 21 seats. Let’s say some candidates are week or voting is lower, even then in that case, the BJP would secure at least 19 seats.” My another journalist friend who is sympathetic to Congress says, “There are only 8 seats where BJP’s victory is sure. 5 seats are Congress seats. On all the other seats, there a tough fight is going on, and we just can not presume who would win what.” Most of the journalists say that because of delimitation, Congress candidates fighting on BJP tickets, Modi’s newly discovered candidates, third important candidate who can cut votes of candidate from either side…. we can’t predict right result this time. Sorry.

As electioneering picks up in the state, prevailing heat wave condition and lack of issues are the factors that are haunting the parties. Mid-April temperatures is already around 41 degrees. According to Meteorological Department, temperature will sore further over the next weeks. The temperature around 30th April(polling day) would be nearly 43 degrees Celsius. Parties have cut their outdoor campaigning hours. There is no campaign between 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm. More than anything political parties are worried that the heat wave may keep voters indoors on the polling day. Parties have planned to try and bring voters early, before the sun gets too hot at noon.

This was definitely a no ball from Congress

Gujarat Congress vice president Balubhai Patel in a press release said that the 108 ambulance service is being misused by the BJP government for propaganda of the party. He said that someone in one specific ambulance told the people in Kankaria area that this service is pioneered by the Chief Minister Narendra Modi and people should take it’s maximum advantage. Balubhai asked election commission to bane 108 ambulance service in the state before the elections. I think this is one of the worst statement by the Congress party in Gujarat during this election season. Why Balubhai who is responsible leader and vice president of the Congress party, couldn’t apply a common sense before passing on a press note, that a populat ambulance service in the state can not be banned!

Crorepati? Better chance of getting Congress/BJP ticket

On 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat, there are 25 contestants who are crorepati! Even in tribal areas like Chhota Udepur and Dahod, both Congress and BJP candidates are crorepati! The poorest candidate from both BJP and Congress is Kutch BJP candidate Punamben Jat who has declared her total assets worth Rs.5.84 lakh.