Hindustan Times
Elections in five state will decide Anna’s future
Election Commission has given a real challenge to social activist fight Anna Hazare, who has announced a war against corruption.
Elections in five states, where corruption has been an issue, probably except Manipur. Other states are Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Goa.
It will be interesting to see whether Hazare’s call will have any adverse impact on Congress which has been termed by team Anna as trying to protect the corrupt.
For Hazare and his team, garnering real public support, not the one shown in select TV channels, will be the test of his popularity. Hazare had been claiming that he represents voice of people of India, lets see whether really does.
Holding a fast in Delhi or Mumbai is much easier than convincing voters to vote against a party as electoral politics is decided on basis of several factors not just one. Money and caste are just two of the many factors that impact the elections.
After Bofors, the election in five states would be first time that corruption as an issue before voters and by man, who claim himself to be clean.
Team Anna claim that it’s campaign resulted in loss of Congress in Hisar was flawed and its real test in now.
Anna’s campaign against corruption had been an urban phenomenon so far and the elections have presented the chance to spread tenacles in rural India.
Many of those who participated in Anna’s campaign don’t go to vote but could be aggrieved by corruption. If they are worried about corruption, they should go back to their home state and vote for a clean candidate. If they have time, they should also campaign for the clean candidate. That will be real tribute to Hazare.
If there is no clean candidate in fray they can always educate voters about 49 (O), which is voting for none of the above.
Hazare does not have one but many parties to compete with as almost all parties had faced allegations of corruption. Task for him will not be easy. Elections in five states will also tell India whether he could espouse cause of Mahatma Gandhi in 21st century. Or not.
(2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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