Maneka banks on son

Maneka, who shifted to Aonla leaving Pilibhit for her son Varun, finds the sailing uncomfortable in this Thakur-dominated constituency. Such has been the caste structures and politics here that only Thakur candidates have been winning from here for the past 25 years.

Of the 14 lakh electorate of Aonla, Thakurs account for over 25 per cent followed by Brahmins and Yadavs, at around 20 per cent each. There also are over two lakh Muslim voters in the constituency.

Sitting MP Sarvaraj Singh, a Thakur, had won from here in the 2004 elections as a nominee of the JD(U), which had then allied itself with the BJP. Singh has, however, switched loyalty and is in the fray as a BSP candidate now.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) has fielded sitting MLA Dharmendra Kashyap while the Congress has left the seat to its local ally Mahan Dal, which has fielded a Muslim. Fully aware of the fact that the caste equations do not favour her on her new turf, Maneka has been trying to woo the voters in the name of development.

Polarisation of votes

Local BJP workers say that the Varun episode has almost polarised the voters here. “Maneka Gandhi will get support from all sections of society irrespective of the castes,” they claim.

The fact that Pilibhit is just 80 km from here has only helped in this polarisation, the activists say. Besides, Varun has aggressively campaigned for her in Aonla. In all his election rallies Varun harped on Hindutva, self-respect and nationalism.

Maneka, however, has consciously refrained from raking up controversial issues and instead has been talking of development, employment, farmers’ issues and women related issues. She is promising to develop Aonla on the lines of Pilibhit.

Even her opponents admit that they can not match Maneka’s stature, but, at the same time feel that the very fact may go against her. “Maneka is inaccessible whereas we, being locals, are always there for the people,” says SP nominee Dharmendra Kashyap.
BSP nominee Sarvaraj Singh hopes to corner a large chunk of Thakur votes in addition to the Muslim votes. “Mayawati’s swift action against Varun has had a positive effect on Muslims,” Singh said. However, the Mahan Dal nominee Mehboob Saklaini could play spoilsport by making a dent into the Muslims votes. Besides, the Samajwadi Party has also deputed its senior Muslim leaders to woo the community.

Given the claims, counter-claims and the caste structures in Aonla, Maneka can expect to sail through only if she receives support from all the sections of society, say BJP workers.