Two high-profile constituencies- Raebareli and Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, set apart by not more than thirty kilometers, provide contrasting imagery of electioneering, poll preparedness, enthusiasm among cadres, wall graffiti and public response. While the electorate in Raebareli discuss ways to ensure a win for Rahul Gandhi by record margin, the electorate in the neighbouring Amethi are split over Congress’ legacy and the success of BJP’s welfare model.
Amethi, one of the most keenly watched seats in this parliamentary election, is witnessing a thrilling battle with a host of factors at play.
Smriti Irani, expected to win comfortably after the Congress named its KL Sharma as its candidate for Amethi, now recognises that the fight isn’t over until the declaration of the outcome. With Priyanka Gandhi's relentless campaigning in Amethi since May 9, projecting the party candidate as family and a humble worker, the Congress workers sense a real chance to cause a major upset.
Smriti Irani’s routine visits vs Rahul’s absence
A group of farmers, in Jais, a town under Amethi district, braving the intense summer heat discuss the growing problem of stray cattles affecting farmlands. On probing further on the political prospects of KL Sharma- Congress candidate from Amethi constituency, the farmers maintain a studied silence. All of a sudden one of them burst out. “Congress has done a lot for Amethi and Rae Bareli. Pointing at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, he says, this institute is an example of Congress’ commitment to the region. But sadly, over the last two decades, the same intent was missing. Didi’s (Smriti Irani) victory is a reflection of the anger against the Gandhi family. Didi comes regularly to the constituency and listens patiently to us. The problem of stray animals affecting our farmlands is not. We tried raising it with Rahul Gandhi prior to 2019, but he did nothing to address our concerns," says Haroon Haider.
Giving primacy to governance over legacy
Few kilometers away, in Gauriganj’s (district headquarter of Amethi) Asaidapur village, a group of women belonging to the Dalit community say that all the villagers have got a house under the PM Awas scheme. Daughters of our families were given Rs 20,000 on their weddings under the state's Kanya Sumangla scheme, and we received 16 instalments of the Kisan Samman Nidhi.
Added to these benefits, Smriti Irani has visited villages in our block multiple times since being elected and promptly undertook a slew of routine development work on the villagers' demands. With the BJP-led dispensation in Lucknow and Delhi, incidence of violence against underprivileged groups have come down significantly. This has enabled our daughters to pursue their dreams and compete with the higher castes, express the womenfolk.
When welfare politics has its limits
As one travels through the villages with sizeable Muslim population in Gauriganj, one understands why it may be too naïve to rule out the Congress, especially in a region that it held sway for so many decades. Sarfaraz Mohammed, while acknowledging the saffron party’s welfare initiatives, is less optimistic about the future of his children. “Welfare state has its limits. We need to be empowered. Jobs and education are the only two avenues for empowerment. Subsidies, housing, ration is only good at the early stage of development. But as a nation matures and is keen to take on the world, only empowered citizens can provide the much-needed heft,” observes the 41-year old tailor.
He goes on to add that the Muslim community understands his fact now. Welfare policies cannot continue forever. It needs to be replaced by opportunities that provide empowerment especially to the most vulnerable sections of our population reiterated Mohammed.
Out of the five assembly segments under the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, three were won by the BJP last time and two, Amethi and Gauriganj, by the SP. Both SP MLAs have, however, switched sides to support the BJP. In 2019, Smriti Irani had defeated Rahul by 55,000 votes.
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