SPECIAL FEATURE The run up to these elections have been momentous, with big news coming every day. One of the biggest bombs was dropped when it was announced that Varanasi was to be the parliamentary constituency from which BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was going to contest from. It produced massive news breaks and led to dizzying political ramifications.
The Gujarat strongman was to fight from two constituencies, one being Varanasi meant many things. First of all, it signaled the confidence and daring of the BJP which was now stepping into the political battlefield of UP, where 80 seats were at stake. In a make or break election, this was the strongest signal which could be sent to its challengers.
But why Varanasi? It seems geography along with political calculations went into BJP's strategy. It is no secret that anyone who wishes to rule Delhi has to win UP. Fortune seems to favour BJP this time in UP, where it hopes to win at least 30 seats. Another 15-20 seats from Bihar could be a handy buffer against states like AP and Tamil Nadu where it could draw a blank. Also, BJP remains strong in its bastions of MP, Chattisgarh, Gujarat and Rajasthan, from where bulks of its seats are to come from. Varanasi is central to the North Indian heartland adjoining Lucknow. A big win here could shake up the region.
Top Indian politicians are notorious for neglecting their constituencies once elections are over, smug in the sense that their reputations are enough to sway the public. But, time and again, it has been shown, voters can be vengeful if you treat them with such disdain. Ask Murli Manohar Joshi or Ram Vilas Paswan. Some do not bother about their constituencies for the whole five years.
Many have been shooed off when they returned to seek a vote. Points in case are Rae Bareli and Amethi, which despite being VIP constituencies for decades are wallowing in developmental neglect and apathy. So, can Varanasi expect any better? For a city famous as a temple town, being the holiest of all Indian places, the lack of amenities and underdevelopment is glaring.
A few famous places like BHU and the Lord Vishwanath temple draw visitors in millions. But the rest of the city is as shabby as the next town. Governmental neglect and apathy instead point towards a shameful neglect of the city. Modi, with his image can change all that. If he can deliver even half of what he promises to the nation, Varanasi can hope to be totally changed in five years. The urban neglect and ruin could a thing of the past.
Being a PM constituency, it can expect generous treatment. The urban landscape could change. Roads, schools, highways and sanitation are totally in ruins now. But that could be gone forever. Often voters hopes are let down, but this time it is with high hopes that this ancient temple city will try its luck, giving Narendra Modi a chance to serve Maa Ganga.
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