Godhra and communal riots, Pakistan and Miya Musharraf, the election planks that had dominated the Assembly elections in the state in 2002 and had propelled the BJP to power are now a thing of the past. The Lok Sabha elections 2004 in the state will be contested on the planks of development and the "feel good factor" by the BJP while the Congress will highlight the failures of the CentIe and the state and attempt to "nail the lie" of the BJP campaign. |
In fact, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had already set the tone of things to come in January while addressing NRIs during the Patangotsav in Ahmedabad when he had chastised that it is ironical that communal violence is happening in the land of the Mahatma. He had even appealed to let bygones be bygones. It was clear that communal violence and India Shining slogan couldn’t go hand in hand, especially in a state where the BJP is expecting a thumping victory.
However, the Congress is apprehensive that the BJP may revert back to creating fresh tension in the state if the development issues fail to strike a chord during the election campaign.
Congress Sabarkantha MP in the dissolved Lok Sabha, Madhusudan Mistry, told The Asian Age that he would write a letter to the Election Commission once the Lok Sabha
Elections are declared pointing at the possibility of the BJP once again revert back to creating fear to get votes and resort to its old tactics - of unearthing cache of arms and ammunitions, a fake note conspiracy or arresting "terrorists" - if it finds that the development issue is not working.
With the relationship with Pakistan showing promise, Mr Mistry believes that Miya Musharraf, Godhra and communal riots have faded into the past although it can still have an influence in a few pockets where the VHP and Bajrang Dal may clandestinely attempt to rake up the issue.
BJP Godhra MP in the last Lok Sabha, Bhupendrasinh solanki, however, contests his. "Communal riots was a momentary surge in 2002, his is 2004," he said.
State BJP president and 3havnagar MP in the dis;olved Lok Sabha, RajenIrasinh Rana, said, "The con;truction of road networks, infrastructure, telecommunications, development of armers and various other works of the NDA will be highlighted whereas at the state level, the ambitious Sujalam Suphalam scheme, the Jyoti Gram Yojana, the vetting up of sub-stations, infrastructure and other ssues will be taken to the people."
Former GPCC presiden Shankarsinh Vaghela, agreed with the BJP president. " Communal violence is a non issue," he said. However claimed that the "overkill the "feel good factor" will soon see it turning into a "feel bad factor". GPCC president B.K. Gadhvi said, "While people a facing immense difficulty the BJP is feeling good. Thirty-nine per cent of the people in the country live below poverty line. Prices are sky rocketing and corruption its worst during the BJP reign."
From what the leaders i both parties are claiming thing appears to be sure - that there will not be another fatwa that will sway the electorate. |
