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Small parties ally with each other |
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By: Varun Singh |
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Date:
2009-03-15 |
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Place: Mumbai |
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RISHI Aggarwal is a 34-year-old environmentalist. He is all set to fight with political bigwigs from the north-west constituency on the ticket of Jago, a little known political party, in alliance with Professional Party of India (PPI), Humanist Party and Bhartiya Rashtrawadi Samanta Party. Aggarwal will face Abu Azmi from the Samajwadi Party, and Sanjay Nirupam or Kripashankar Singh or Nagma from the Congress and other leaders from the Sena and its alliance.
While most politicians are fighting on the migrant issue and are betting their win on the mathematics of minorities and communities, small parties have specific issues of infrastructure, proper sanitation, developing slums and improving the way of life of the common man.
Apart from this, these parties also seek to draw upper middle class voters to the polling booths. Anil Bahl of the PPI, a party formed by professionals from various walks of life, said, "There are around 300 million middle class to super rich people in the country, but hardly 10-12 per cent vote. The educated, middle class wants to vote now for change. We are also appealing to the other segments of the society too."
These parties have decided to spend not more than Rs 20 lakh per seat, whereas their counterparts spend crores of rupees.
However, with existing limitations, these parties are hopeful that the emotionally charged voters after the 26/11 terrorists attacks are their votes. "People are looking for a change and emotions are indicating to us that people will vote for a change. This time emotions are going to turn into votes," said Vinod Nair of the Lok Satta party, inspired by the NGO Loksatta, formed by Dr J P Narayan.
These small parties are also forming alliances and are open about it. |
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