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When people are caught between emotions and aspirations



For those who hold contempt against the Gandhi family, this may be music to their ear.

Despite a whirlwind tour of 10 assembly segments in their fiefdoms– Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Rahul Gandhi, and Rae Bareli, the Lok Sabha constituency of Sonia Gandhi– Priyanka Gandhi can’t be really sure if her party can win all of them.

For those who may be ignorant about Gandhis association with two prime seats, Amethi and Rae Bareli has been Congress pocketborough since time immemorial. Barring 1977 and 1998, the Gandhis or their associates have represented the seats, Not that there has been no development here. Rajiv Gandhi had turned Amethi’s Jagdishpur into an industrial area while Rae Bareli with a chain of schools, colleges and industries remained the most favoured district till the Congress remained in power.

In fact, late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had summoned the entire cabinet led by ND Tewari to Rae Bareli instead of Lucknow for a cabinet meeting.

But last 22 years of non-Congress rule tells a sordid tale of vendetta politics, with successive governments neglecting the area to such an extent that industries started closing down—as if they were not a part of Uttar Pradesh.

In these 22 years, a new generation came on the scene—a generation who likes the special status but has its own aspirations. Loyalty to them is not acceptance of apathy of the political system.

Thus when chief minister Mayawati took on Priyanka in the latter’s stronghold commenting on poor development in the area, she only articulated the aspirations of the voters. Stoking the common sentiment Mayawati said, “There would have been no need to beg for votes if the Gandhis had worked for the development of the area.”

Interestingly, Priyanka is also making ‘non-development in 22 years’ a poll issue. Maya again has a counter ‘what has Congress done in 40 years.’

The war of words is continuing as people see-saw between their emotions and aspirations.

At stake are 10 out of 403 seats in the state. Loss of seats in Amethi and Rae Bareli would always bring in embarrassment to Congress bosses. Obviously, they would want a 10/10. But that looks like a dream as distant as dreams of development.

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Posted by Sunita Aron on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 7:18 pm 
Filed under India · Tagged , , , , , , , ,

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  • Anonymous

    It’s amazing that Sujata has not written a single word criticizing Congress… This is what is called classic case of paid journalism.

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  • http://twitter.com/am_i_akshay Akshay Shetty

    a very well written piece. i am amazed at ur bravery to pen such contentious articles. but i along with many other readers have placed my trust on u. please don’t disappoint us

    [Reply]

  • Abu Ahmed

    Anna did a great job – that of crystallizing public anger into a movement against corruption. The later political part played by Team Anna is of course unacceptable in a democratic and parliamentary set-up. Therefore, he was defeated politically and should now retire to his village – however, Indians do owe a great thanx to Anna.

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  • Anonymous

    ” VERY WELL RESEARCHED & DARING PIECE, I SALUTE YOUR VALOR & INTELLIGENCE IN BRINGING OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT ANNA !”

    Now you may not mind sharing the booty you earned for writing this piece.

    [Reply]

  • akki

    If you can write articles on anna hazare why dont you show your courage by writing something on sonia ji by what subramanium swamy has to say about her it will test your journalism courage!!

    [Reply]

  • ashok

    To use a phrase much favoured by food writers, Sujatji’s sources are to die for.

    [Reply]

  • abhiji

    “From what I understood, the RSS and the BJP were the ones who had decided to put Anna in his place:”
    Great job. Shooting two birds with one stone.
    I am surprised why the congress is so pleased that the movement against corruption seems to be fading, and the lokpal bill is stalled again! In my mind;

    This government cannot, simply cannot, pass a strong lokpal bill and lose control of CBI. If that happens, all the skeletons will fall out of the closet. Starting with the Great Bhopal Gas Tragedy, where 30000(?) Indian lives were traded for a few pennies in Swiss and other foreign banks, to Bofors and Quattrochi, to a scam a day today, when Billions of Dollars of Indian Tax Payer’s money is being deposited in Swiss and other foreign banks by sick(?) worthies going on foreign travel tours covered by official secrets act and coming back healthy when their job is done, all these skeletons will fall out of the closet. Where will the Queen hide then? It is the duty of all her minions to protect the Queen. No, this government cannot, simply cannot, pass a strong lokpal bill and lose complete control of CBI in the process.

    Long live Anna!

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  • anil

    Try this and do a test. Put Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul’s nice pictures on HT’s front page for a week and see how it can work as repellant to drive people nicely away!

    [Reply]

  • Moro

    I hope there is a Plague in that city of amethi for supporting Mrs Maino and Mrs Roberts.

    Let them burn in helI

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  • Nair

    Ehat isn that they have done to Amethi and Rae bareily?. Don’t just priase then you immoral christain women

    [Reply]