The influx of real estate projects and major infrastructural plunge over the years has reshaped Gautam Buddh Nagar into a cosmopolitan constituency. In addition to a majority of its electorates living in 350 villages sharing borders with Delhi and Haryana, the region comprises middle class and affluent urban populace which has thronged the twin cities of Noida and Greater Noida in recent past. In addition to industrial areas, Noida has nearly 150 residential sectors. Several projects (2.5 lakh residential units) are coming up in Greater Noida (west) and in and around the Yamuna Expressway region.
Rapidly changing demographics of the region will influence voting behaviour of this lok Sabha seat. The constituency is now known for India’s only international F1 track, industries, mega townships with highrises, malls, wide expressways and special economic zones (SEZs). Even though caste has always played a pivotal role in the electoral process here, voting trend this time will be a riveting study for election data nerds.
Irrespective of the needs and expectations of residents from their prospective elected representative, other issues, including land acquisition, exemption of toll and power crisis, too will play a decisive role. Facilities analogous to the national Capital will weigh in on the minds of first-time voters when they have their brush with indelible ink. Nearly 5.77 lakh new voters have been added to the electoral rolls. Public transport, uninterrupted power, roads, civic amenities like clean drinking water and toilets are still a distant dream for many in the rural belt. Even though the Metro network has extended till Noida, it is has hardly solved the malaise of connectivity.
Power crisis has become a thorn in politicians’ side as the rural belt sees power outages for as long as 12-18 hours vis-Ã -vis urban areas, which witness four to six hours of blackout. Sand mafia in Gautam Buddh Nagar have not just destroyed the floodplains along the Yamuna and Hindon rivers but also ravaged fertile land. Illegal transportation of sand increases in the run-up to the polls.
Though the constituency has three industrial development authorities responsible for growth of the entire region, they have been censured for being beset with urban expansion to the detriment of rural development. The representatives of the area too have been chastised for their apathy.
Even as the ranks of voters disgusted with parties has swelled and could well be the deciding factor this poll season. Since caste factor plays a crucial role here, BJP has fielded Dr Mahesh Sharma, a Brahmin candidate and sitting MlA from Noida Assembly seat eyeing 12 per cent Brahmin votes. Congress has given ticket to Ramesh Chandra Tomar, a Rajput, hoping to sweep 13 per cent Rajput votes. The BSP and SP have given tickets to Satish Awana and Narendra Bhati to polarise Gujjars (12 per cent) in their favour. Dalits, around 13 per cent in the constituency, are considered cadre vote for BSP while Muslims may support the party which will be in a position to neutralise the BJP. The percentage of this community is 12 per cent. The AAP, which has fielded KP Singh, an RWA office bearer, rides on the support of anti-incumbency votes as well as middle class votes, a growing number in the constituency.