In West UP, ‘crackdown’ on Oppn a concern, but no reason not to vote BJP

Among many voters across several Western Uttar Pradesh constituencies bound for the Lok Sabha polls in the first phase on April 19, there seems to be some resonance for the Opposition parties in the wake of recent actions of the Central agencies, ranging from thearrests of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to the Income Tax department’s freezing of the Congress party’s bank accounts, among other cases. But, while they question the timing of these actions, they don’t find it a strong enough reason to vote against the ruling BJP in the polls.

The INDIA bloc in UP, comprising the Samajwadi Party (SP), Congress and AAP — may have gone to town calling the crackdown against the Opposition leaders an alleged attack on democracy and describing the electoral bonds scheme as a “scam” — but these issues are yet to dominate talks at the village chaupals. Instead, rural voters are mainly discussing the caste factor and the influence of local candidates.

During a lengthy political debate outside a private sugar mill in Muzaffarnagar’s Khatauli last Friday, sugarcane farmer Guddu Gujjar of Bahanpur village criticised the Narendra Modi government for inflation and the menace of “dangar (stray cattle)” that damage crops.

When asked about the agencies’ action against Opposition leaders, Gujjar said the government was taking action against everyone who speaks against it. “The government is using agencies like the ED with the same outlook: jiski laathi, uski bhains (he who wields the cane, owns the buffalo). Had the ED been fair, it would have taken action against some BJP leaders too. Are all BJP leaders innocent? There are BJP leaders here who had nothing before 2017, but own land and SUVs today.”

Vinod