Force of habit
Politicians frequently jumping from one party to another is causing a lot of confusion, not just for voters but even for those who are campaigning for them. Recently in a joint campaign event in Pune, Shiv Sena (Shinde group) leader Neelam Gorhe asked people to vote for Shirur Lok Sabha candidate Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil and said that his symbol was a bow and arrow of the Shiv Sena. The only problem was that Patil had just quit the Shiv Sena to join the NCP (Ajit camp) whose symbol is the clock. Gorhe’s gaffe created a lot of dilemma in the audience and she too laughed it away saying that it was just “force of habit”.
Nowhere to go
While Surendranagar Lok Sabha seat has been embroiled in caste controversy with Talpada Kolis protesting against the BJP fielding a Chuvalia Koli candidate, the perennial turncoat Soma Ganda threw his hat in the ring to obtain a ticket from the Congress. However, with the Congress fielding Rutvij Makwana, Ganda “resigned” from the party. But the only problem being, he was suspended from the Congress back in 2020 and never allowed back in. He was not affiliated with any party when he resigned.
Peace first, election later
With Manipur reeling under several months long ethnic strife, the state is awaiting political visitors in wake of Lok Sabha elections. There are hardly any political rallies and meetings associated with elections. The hotels are waiting for big orders to take care of the political functionaries. Even though the room occupancy in hotels is somewhat decent as officials from various departments are still there, but the big national leaders are yet to campaign in the state. However, the political mood of the state has not picked up as people feel that peace should come first and elections later.
