In Varanasi, Is It Modi Vs The Rest?

From Hindu Rashtra to corruption-free business, Narendra Modi remains hope of Varanasi. It is development that people of Varanasi are going to vote for this election. It seems that caste has taken a backseat and this election is going to be, especially in Varanasi about Modi vs the rest. BW Businessworld travelled to the holy city to find what people of Varanasi are voting for this time.

Demonetisation
Despite all the hardships the people of Varanasi went through after demonetisation seems to have little effect on their consideration for BJP winning this battle. Gora Banerjee, a cloth shop owner near DLW, said, “It is true that our businesses are hit. We are still feeling the heat of the demonetisation. We do good business around Holi, but this time we are hardly selling anything. Despite this, we will vote for BJP as we have no other better option. Demonetisation might be a temporary problem but we are voting for the future.”

A tea seller on the footpaths of Lanka near Banaras Hindu University said, “If a chaiwala dares to change the country, why can’t I sacrifice for my country’s good.”

Caste Vs Development
This time focus of the voters seems to have been shifted to development from caste. Dhananjay Kumar, a construction businessman, said, “We have had enough of caste. This time we are going to vote for change. As a businessman, I went through huge loss after demonetisation but I still feel BJP must come into the power.”

Deepak Kumar Gupta, a sociology student from BHU, said, “Iss keechad mein kamal khilna chahiye (Lotus must bloom in this mud).”

The young crowd of Varanasi, especially talk about development and Modi will conspicuous aggression.

Akash Singh, a medical representative, had a different point to make. He said, “I hardly think any learned person of Varanasi or in whole UP should vote for other parties as BJP is the only party that has the potential to bring change in UP.”

Kumar, who apparently doesn’t believe in caste, talked about Hindu nation at length. Citing the Babri Masjid demolition, he said, “We shouldn’t forget what had happened in Ayodhya. Only BJP can give us Ram Mandir. We are not going to spare anyone who will snatch our houses and build their houses after razing them.” We all can assume what Kumar meant with ‘them’ and ‘they’ in the conversation.

Caste still matters
While some talked about development, some still think no one can get caste out of UP elections. Rahul Kumar said, “I will first see my relationship with the candidate of my area then the caste. And when caste matches, I will not care about anything else. Pehle bhai ko bachao (save your brother first).

Corruption-free business
For businessmen, more than anything conducive environment for fair business matters. A mining businessman, who insisted on not being named, said, “We are looking for fair business. Most of the businessmen are tired of paying goonda tax, known as VIP tax. It was Rs 700 during Mayawati’s regime while it was increased to Rs 2600 during SP’s rule. We assume BJP will be able to give us a favourable condition for fair and transparent business.”

“BJP iss desh ko business karna sikha degi (BJP will teach this country how to do business),” he concluded.

While another businessman, who owns a general store near Manduadih, said, “No one will ever say that demonetization is a wrong step. We have suffered and still suffering. I will not vote for unprepared party who doesn’t know how to execute something with keeping people’s plights in mind. Modiji sochte nahin hain, bas karte hain par sochna bhi toh zaruri hai (Modiji doesn’t think. He acts but he also needs to think).”

Modi factor
Professor A. K. Joshi, Head of Department, Sociology, BHU, said, “It will be unfair to say that people only vote for caste. People consider the top leader. Here is what Modi’s charismatic factor is working. However, the SP-Congress coalition is going to be helpful for both the parties. There are chances that both the parties will gain from this coalition. This election looks unpredictable. People are still not happy with some of the steps Modi has taken in the past especially, demonetization. Certain things will be clear after Modi’s visit to Varanasi."

“Also, BJP is going to gain from not naming any CM candidate. It is a clever move. It would have divided people on caste. But now people will be voting for Modi. Akhilesh Yadav has certainly worked a lot during his rule, but some of the ministers in SP are just incompetent,” he added.

People of Varanasi also think that Modi has worked on grassroots level. Geeta, a maid who is working to save money for his son’s heart surgery, said, “I was given gas cylinder from Modiji. I am also trying to reach him to get Rs 2.5 lakh for my son’s surgery. I really wish he wins.”

Several like her echoed her sentiments. From development, Hindu nation, corruption free business to gas cylinders, people have different reasons to vote for Modi this time.

Who will be the CM?
While some see Amit Shah as the perfect candidate, some prefer Yogi Adityanath as their CM. Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Manoj Sinha, they all are being discussed at tea and paan shops in Varanasi.

It’s a colourless Holi
Holi that defines Varanasi will be not so colourful this year. Sunil Mishra, who runs a cloth store in the city, said, “There are few customers this time. We are hardly making any money. Even survival has become tough.”

An auto driver said, “The election around Holi is a bad idea. Due to rallies, our business are badly hit. That also means that this Holi won’t be that colorful for us. Elections around Holi will also affect the turnover of voters in phase 7.”

It seems demonetization might have little impact on election but Holi celebration is definitely marred by the government’s move.

“It is just strange that we are sitting idle at our shop before Holi. This has never happened before,” said a shopkeeper, who sells shoes.

When asked which party is he going to vote for, he said, “I will vote for my children’s future. I will vote for the party that talks about development, free education and transparency.” Though he didn’t mention any particular party.

Going by what people of Varanasi said, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that in Varanasi, it’s Modi vs the rest.