UP Elections: Of One-Man Parties, Astrology & Modi Gaming Apps

Here are some unusual and intriguing tales from poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.

The Uttar Pradesh elections have, as always, thrown up some interesting sideshows. (Photo: The Quint)

Every elections in India is marked by some bizarre and interesting sideshows, and more so in Uttar Pradesh.

Why should these polls be an exception? So you have a farmer’s daughter staking her life’s savings on the elections; a blind man campaigning on a rickety rickshaw for the rights of the disabled; and candidates building their campaigns around their rivals’ horoscopes. And then there’s gaming apps featuring your favourite – or not-so-favourite –netas.

So here’s a round-up of the strange and interesting tales from the UP poll trail.

The Lone Warriors

Vandana Sharma, the daughter of a farmer from UP’s Fatehpur Sikri district, is a political party in herself. Sharma, 25, took out Rs 10,000 from her life savings for her election security deposit and filed her nomination papers as an independent candidate from Fatehpur Sikri constituency.

Her style of campaigning is in keeping with her cash crunch, but not restricted by it. She campaigns on a scooter and wants to bring basic amenities to her village Nagla Brahman and others in the constituency.

My village has no medical store or other basic amenities. Even to buy salt, we have to go to Kirawali, seven kilometres away. Almost all candidates raise issues related to women, education, and law and order. Why shouldn’t a girl come forward and represent them in the Assembly?

Supporters throng a Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav rally. (Photo: IANS)

Shivkumar Gupta is another lone poll crusader. From UP’s Saharanpur district. Gupta is visually impaired and has a sum total of Rs 5,000 in his pocket and Rs 19,000 in the bank, according to his election affidavit.

Seated on a rickety rickshaw, Gupta is often seen holding a loudspeaker and asking people to pick his election symbol – 'the wooden cane’ – in the upcoming elections.

He maintains that the current government does nothing for the physically handicapped. If elected, Gupta wants to change that.

Also Read: In West UP's 'Jatland', Polls Are a Litmus Test for Modi, Mayawati

Rahul’s Sarthi is now BJP’s Charioteer

Elsewhere, Rahul Gandhi’s sarthi or charioteer has found himself in a quandary. In 2011, Dhirendra Singh had outwitted the then Mayawati government’s security by driving into the twin unrest-hit villages of Bhatta and Parsaul, with the Congress Vice-President riding pillion.

In this election, however, he has found himself a new role in the rival Bharatiya Janata Party, as the nominee from the Jevar assembly seat in UP.

Dhirendra Singh had driven Rahul Gandhi into the twin unrest-hit villages of Bhatta and Parsaul in 2011. (Photo Courtesy: Dhirendra Singh/Facebook)

Singh played a key role in the farmers’ agitation over land acquisition in 2011, and also rallied farmers against changes the Modi government wanted to bring in the land acquisition Act passed by the UPA in 2013.

<i>Ajeeb lagta hai</i> (it feels strange). I always fought the BJP. But the fact is, in my seat, caste plays a bigger role than the party.

Jevar has always seen a Thakur versus Gujjar battle, and Singh, a Thakur, has upped the BJP’s chances in that constituency.

Also Read: Dialogues, Drama, Desperation... Cut to UP as Action Begins

Have the Stars Aligned?

As anxiety over the polls escalates, candidates of various parties have taken to consulting astrologers – not about their own fortunes, but their rivals’.

The business of astrology has seen a boost in Uttar Pradesh, with every candidate wanting to know the weak grah or planet of his rivals.

Minor problems can be set right with the help of <i>a havan</i> and <i>grah shanti</i> rituals, and it is impossible for a candidate to win if his opponent’s stars are stronger.

Astrologer on condition of anonimity

'Bhag Modi Bhag' and Other Gaming Apps

The business of astrology aside, this election has given birth to a new sphere of work. Political gaming apps have become popular among youngsters in Allahabad and other cities.

Apps like ‘Bhag Modi Bhag, ‘Temple Modi Run’, ‘Modi Hill Climb’, ‘Modi Cricket T20’ and other such ‘political’ games have seen some popularity.

The Bhag Modi Bhag gaming app. (Gif: The Quint)

These games are reportedly available on prominent app stores, and have caused cyber cafes in Allahabad to be flooded with youngsters who have ditched cartoon characters for politicians.

Also Read: UP Polls 2017: More Support for BJP But 40% Voters Undecided

(With inputs from Dainik Bhaskar, Hindustan Times, The Times of India)