Vote for Change”, “Vote for Development”, “Vote for Modi” … These slogans were echoed throughout the day in Chandigarh on the last day of campaign on Tuesday with candidates making a last-ditch effort to drum up support of the electorate.
Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Bansal is pitted against two actors-turned-politicians—AAP’s candidate Gul Panag and BJP’s Kirron Kher. Both Panag and Kher have been dubbed as “parachute candidates” and “outsiders” by Congress supporters.
With former Union Railway Minister Bansal in the poll fray to retain his lok Sabha seat, the BJP’s Kirron Kher banking on “Modi wave” and AAP’s Gul Panag hoping to cash in on “Kejriwal factor or change in Indian politics”, the Chandigarh poll scene is witnessing a high-decibel three cornered fight.
BSP’s Jannat Jahan, another woman candidate has made the poll battle interesting with denizens connecting the poll scenario—Bansal against three prominent women candidates—with the Bollywood flick “ladies Vs Ricky Bahl”.
During last lok Sabha polls, Bansal managed to win the elections by a huge margin recording a hat-trick from the seat. However, it would be a totally different ball game for Bansal, with strong anti-incumbency mood among the electorate and Opposition raking up Railway Board Bribery Scam as a poll issue.
‘Railway scam refuses to die down’
Promising an over-all development of Chandigarh, Bansal sought votes for the development work he carried out during 15 years of his tenure as city’s MP.
Even as Bansal was given a clean chit in the Railway Board Bribery Scam, the Opposition has been attacking the sitting MP over corruption issue. Putting up a brave face, Bansal is contesting his seventh poll battle while the opposition parties are leaving no stone unturned to derive political mileage out of the Railway scam.
The Congress bigwigs have thrown their weight behind Bansal, albeit, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi stayed away from Bansal’s electioneering.
“I have full confidence on people of Chandigarh. They would be choosing a performer rather than the “outsiders” who do not know anything about the city. “In last 15 years, I have worked for the upgradation of educational and health facilities in Chandigarh and would work in the same direction, if elected again,” said Bansal while commenting on his winning prospects.
‘Vote for Modi’
Making her electoral debut in the lok Sabha polls, the 61-year-old actor-turned-politician Kirron Kher is hoping to cash in on “Modi’s wave” in the polls and urged the city denizens to “Vote for Modi”.
From social networking websites to mobile applications, Kirron reached out to the city denizens. Besides BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s Bharat Vijay Rally in Chandigarh, the support of senior BJP leaders and actors Anupam Kher, Anil Kapoor gave boost to her campaign in the city.
“Narendra Modi would work for development of the country and to build a strong India. Your vote would ultimately go to Modi, hence vote for me, vote for BJP in the elections” said Kirron while making an appeal to the voters during her electioneering in the city.
‘The Politics of Change’
AAP’s candidate Gul Panag sought votes promising clean governance and bringing change in Indian politics. From travelling in public transport to driving a motorcycle on the streets of Chandigarh, the 35-year-old social activist Panag tried to woo the city voters in her own way in last three weeks. The dimpled beauty envisions generating employment opportunities in Chandigarh, implementation of MSME Act, development of both rural and urban areas of the city, providing access to basic facilities.
“Vote to bring a change this time. This is an opportunity for the people to bring a change in the existing corrupt system. The voters of Chandigarh are very intelligent and I am confident that they would not let go of this opportunity to choose a good representatives for themselves,” said Panag. After overwhelming response to AAP’s chief Arvind Kejriwal roadshow in Chandigarh, Panag is also hopeful to cash in on “Kejriwal factor” in rural areas including colonies and villages of the city.
‘Savior of poor’
BSP candidate Jannat Jahan, who is a Municipal Councilor in Chandigarh promises to work for the upliftment of poor people of the city. BSP chief Mayawati addressed a rally here in Jahan’s favour and urged people to vote for her. “Bansal did nothing in last 15 years for the people of Chandigarh. On the other side, there are two outsiders fielded by AAP and BJP. BSP is the only option for the people of the city this time,” she said while urging for residents’ support.
Key issues
In their election manifesto, the political parties have promised corruption-free governance, hassle-free traffic, better public transport, parking facilities, better housing facilities for poor in Chandigarh. The disparity in urban and rural development remained a key issue in Chandigarh’s ballot tussle and the candidates promised overall development in villages and colonies of the city.