Communities rise against poll propaganda

LUCKNOW: As candidates roped in all their resources to muster support on the last day of the election campaigning on Tuesday in Lucknow, BSP candidate Akhikesh Das's blitzkrieg on caste, religious and regional lines appeared to be backfiring.
While Parvatiya Mahaparishad Lucknow (PML), an association of Uttrankhand people living in Lucknow and prominent Christian personalities in the city lambasted Das for launching a misinformation campaign to sway voters, BJP grabbed the appeal issued by a few Muslim maulanas in Das's support as an opportunity to polarise Hindu votes.The presence of Hindutava's new mascot Varun Gandhi in the constituency on Tuesday came as a boon in disguise for the Sangh Parivar which used it to the fullest for galvanising support for Lalji Tandon.
In a press statement, PML described reports published in a section of media about the population of Uttrakhandis in Lucknow as misleading. "The report said that only 15,000 Uttrakhandis live in in Lucknow, whereas the fact is that there are over 3 lakh `parvatiya' voters in the city who have resolved to vote for Rita Bahuguna Joshi," clarified Bhawan Singh Rawat, MPL chief coordinator. Members said the MPL is the only organisation of Uttrakhandis in Lucknow and described the one campaigning for Das as `artificial'.
On the other hand, Nalin Phillips, former member of UP Minorities Commission, categorically denied having issued any statement in favour of Das. He said that he had not made any appeal to the members of the Christian community to vote for Das and the statement attributed to him in a report is false and fabricated. Describing it as an election gimmick of Das, Phillips also said that he has also reported the matter to the Election Commission as it amounted to unfair practice. He said that he would seek legal action against Das.
Both Phillips and office-bearers of the PML accused Das of resorting to cheap and fraudulent tactics to create a `wave' in his favour by getting false news items published. "Without even speaking to me he is using my name in news items and pamphlets, appealing Christian community to support him," said Phillips while threatening to sue Das. PML members alleged that Das was behind the creation of the new organisation which claims itself to be the representative of Uttrakhandis. "`Parvatiyas' will reply by voting against Das," they said.
The appeal issued by Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahli in favour of Das seems to have done more damage than good. "Maulana's appeal has only vitiated the cordial atmosphere of Lucknow. How can he (Das) expect that all Muslims will vote for him on an appeal issued by a Maulana, when noted Muslim clerics and prominent Islamic institutions have made it clear that it is improper for religious heads to endorse a candidate," said Mohammed Arif, a resident of Old City, adding "Muslims like all Indians will vote as per their choice."
While Muslims are irked over Maulana's appeal for taking them for granted, Sangh Parivar has picked up the issue to launch a door-to-door campaign in favour of BJP candidate. Teams have been formed which are asking people to unite on religious lines. Lucknowites were also bombarded with SMSes having `caste overtones' sent by BSP leaders to vote in favour of Das and BSP. "Why doesn't Election Commission takes cognizance of such fake but blatant use of caste, communal and regional appeals," said Amit Singh, a lawyer.
This is not all. Complaints about appeals in the name of `newfound' trader organisations, artists associations and teachers groups were also received. "I think that Das is trying and has also been successful up to some extent to create a wave in his favour by manipulating media reports and fake appeals," said BK Saxena, a retired government officer. RP Singh, a teacher, said that politicians can stoop to any level for votes but people should exercise their franchise judiciously in favour of the best candidate in their opinion.