If it returns to power, Babaji’s government should do what it couldn’t in five years, said rickshaw puller Rajaram. Pics/Dharmendra Jore

The battle has shifted from the campaign to the counting centres, the electronic voting machines and the administration handling it, courting a controversy.

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.79%

AAP 42.62%

INC 24.59%

Submit

View All In Poll

“Let the TV channels show whatever they wish. We’re sure of winning over 300 seats,” Yadav said here on Tuesday, before accusing the administration of tampering with EVMs. On Tuesday night in Varanasi, the SP workers created a ruckus at the counting centre and damaged the official vehicle of the local police chief. Related incidents of SP protests were reported in some other districts as well. The party said here on Wednesday that over 80 workers will be deputed to keep watch on the EVM strongroom in Lucknow.

Allegations have been flying thick and fast ever since. The SP’s state headquarters office looks like a fortified domain. Only select vehicles and authorised people are allowed in. Others peep through a narrow iron net-bracket gate and leave in disappointment when sent back. Strange silence is disturbed by the vehicles passing through a busy road, which plays host to media persons and anxious party workers. The roadside chat shops, litti-chokha sellers and ganne ka raswala are happy to serve.   

Durgesh Gupta (left) did not have any advance booking for sweets on Wednesday

A few kilometres away, the BJP’s office does not exactly wear a celebratory look but the leaders and workers exude exit poll-induced confidence. The ruling party scoffed at Akhilesh and ridiculed his allegations. “EVM is great when they win. Akhilesh congratulates Mamata Bannerjee for winning the elections that use the same EVMs. He sees defeat coming, not just one like 2017, but even more crushing this time,” said state BJP spokesperson Sanjay Chaudhary. TV news teams from down south and West Bengal take their turns to record his comment.

Apparently happy yet guarded in replying to tricky questions, he adds that Akhilesh is a techno-politician, who is expected to respect science and technology as far as using the oft-used EVM narrative.

“It will be a sort of record when the BJP returns with a thumping win. No single party or alliance government ran in UP for five years after 1985. Our government has not only done it, but will have another full term,” he said, adding that the issues were different from those the opposition has been using. “The parameters have changed. It was all about the BJP’s successful efforts of eradicating bhay, bhuk and bhrashtachar (fear, hunger and corruption). People have given us so much in the previous polls. They will give even more this time.”

Not far from the BJP’s office, Durgesh Gupta runs his sweet shop on a narrow lane of Narhi Bazar that leads to Vidhan Sabha. The lane looks like a mini India—Hindus, Muslims and religious minorities can be identified doing the business together. From one end to the other, one sees traders in a fish and meat market, vegetable stalls, grocery, hosiery, cloth, eateries, etc. making both ends meet.  

Awaiting sweet success

Two MLA hostels flank the lane, says Gupta, but he does not have politics on his mind. His worry is the absence of advance booking for the laddoos for victory celebrations. “There used to be a time when sweets sold big during the election results. I hope my sales pick up fast tomorrow and thereafter when the MLAs and their karyakartas start arriving in the city. I’m the only sweet mart dealer here,” he said while hoping that the pandemic-hit business will grow again gradually.

Rajaram has been pulling a rickshaw since he was 15 years old. He is 55 now. After dropping this reporter near the SP office, he gathered breath and broke into a conversation. “We rickshaw pullers have expected every government to implement benefit schemes for us. If repeated, Babaji’s government should do what it couldn’t do in five years,” he said, ruing the fact that he and most others have never been able to buy their own rickshaw, should be given financial assistance.

Rajesh Yadav, 32, does multiple tasks of ushering, valet parking and waiting at a swanky yet affordable chaat bhandar in Hazratganj and is not enthused at all by politics. He wants roads repaired as quickly as possible. “I’m from Ayodhya. I wish my marginal farmer brothers would improve their condition.”