Will the Hazare factor reverse South fortunes?

Apr 13, 2011 |

Venkatesh Kesari

New Delhi

Tags:

elections

Impact of Gandhian Anna Hazare’s campaign against corruption could be seen on April 13, viewed political leaders saying that the feedback from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry going to the polls on that day, is that local issues and candidates dominated the campaigning.

On the other hand, issues in Assam and West Bengal are different.

Recalling that 26\11 did not influence voters in Mumbai in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections despite strong resentment against the state and the Centre, they said and predicted if Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections today, the BSP led by Mayawati can emerge as the single largest party .

The Assembly elections in five states would be an indicator whether or not corruption would a major issue which can shake the Centre once again, said senior a MP.

According to him the AIADMK built up its campaign in Tamil Nadu around the dynasty in the DMK and brought corruption issue indirectly while in Kerala the Congress is pegging on its hope on the anti-incumbency factor.

According to political observers, Mr Hazare’s anti corruption campaign have brought youths, middle class women to the streets, kicked off a nation wide debate on this issue but will it convert into votes could be known only on May 13 when the results of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry would be announced.

They further said Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and few other states will be held next year. But will corruption be a major issue ? Reports coming from these states do not indicate this factor.

The BSP continues to be a main player in UP while Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has full grip in the state and can win the coming elections. Even in Delhi, the chief minister Sheila Dikshit continues to be the Congress’ face.

In these states corruption has not become an issue despite Mr Hazare's campaign and civil society's active participation in it.

They further said no political party can take up the issue of corruption after making several compromises for winning elections and coming to power.

Moreover, media campaign against corruption have had hardly influenced the BSP’s voters at least in UP, they pointed out.

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