In tune with the across- the- country trend, those belonging to the affluent/educated stratum of the society and those living from hand to mouth are sharply divided in their approach to the February 15 election in the State too. This became discernible when this correspondent talked to the people across the societal spectrum residing under Rajpur Road constituency limit. While those residing in the posh areas of Dehradun falling under the prestigious constituency looked indifferent to the upcoming election the dwellers of slums under the same constituency sounded excited to cast votes.
The poll scenario in the constituency is not yet clear though. While Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has declared the name of its candidate, former state cabinet minister Khajan Das, Congress is yet to lay its cards on the table. However, it is widely assumed that the ruling party would re-nominate sitting MlA Rajkumar.
However, both the main contending parties are keeping their eyes trained on the slum dwellers whose number might prove a decisive factor with the margins of victory remaining small. The strategy is understandable, given the fact that while they turn up at the booths in overwhelming number the well-offs are least interested to take the pains of lining up in the queue to cast votes. The parties are trying to woo the slum dwellers, promising to regularize their slums once they are voted to power.
This correspondent while talking to both classes of the society was surprised to note the divergent views on the matters of the individual and collective interests vis-à-vis the election. While he heard the affluent, saying that they would choose such candidates who would serve their individual interests those from the slums stress on their collective welfare.
Sameer Bisht, a voter of the constituency, said that though he was yet to decide who to vote he would vote for one who, he thought, would prove helpful in serving his own interests. “Otherwise, I am disenchanted with the election process which comes and goes without leaving any substantial result on the life of the people,” he said.
Contrastingly, Umesh, resident of Balmiki Basti, said that he would vote for the candidate who had helped them with roads recently built in the area. “We are fortunate enough to talk to the MlA whenever the need arises. He is always available, ever ready to patently hear out our problems and solve them,” he said.
Ramesh, resident of Karanpur, shrugged off the election as sound and fury, signifying nothing. “I have not yet pondered over who to vote. In fact, I have not decided whether to vote or not,” he declared nonchalantly.
Rakesh who lives in Nayagaon said they would definitely vote. “It is our democratic right. Besides, I believe that we can have our problems solved if we put collective pressure on the MlA. Things have happened this way in the past,” he said energetically.