By Mohd. Ismail Khan, TwoCircles.net,
Sawai Madhopur: In Rajasthan elections Sawai Madhopur constituency has caught the imagination of all the political enthusiasts and pundits. Where a young political heir, a queen and a caste demi-god are in the fray to claim votes of equally fragmented and opposite social groups in the constituency.
Congress candidate Danish Abrar, a 29 year old MBA graduate from London, is the son of former Union Minister Abrar Ahmed. He is taking on another debutant in politics, 41 year old Rajmata of Jaipur, Diya Kumari who also happens to be the great granddaughter of the erstwhile Maharaja of Sawai Madhopur is contesting on BJP ticket.
Both the new comers are pitted against Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena, MP from Dausa who is heading P.A. Sangma’s National People’s Party (NPP) unit of Rajasthan. Kirodi Lal enjoys absolute influence over Meena community, a schedule tribe and influential caste in Rajasthan. His party is contesting on 130 seats in Rajasthan many political observers believe that K L Meena could be the king maker after the results.
But young Danish Abrar is putting up a brave face. “No one is heavyweight or lightweight. They are just mere candidates for me,” says Danish in conceit tone so not to mistake him for an immature politician.
Danish’s father Abrar Ahmed who died in a car accident in 2004 still enjoys iconic image in Sawai Madhopur which is revered by all the communities. At the time of his death, he was PCC chief of the state. During his tenure as Union minister of state Finance in Narshima Rao’s Government Abrar Ahmed laid down drinking water pipeline in Sawai Madhopur which generated huge respect and acceptance for him. From villages to town, from Meena, Gujjar to Muslim every section of society still remembers him as an “honest and inclusive” leader.
Banner of Congress candidate Danish Abrar in Sawai Madhopur.
Danish’s mother Yasmin Abrar has also been MLA from Sawai Madhopur in 1998; she was later defeated by Kirodi Lal Meena. She is presently member of National Commission for Women.
Danish Abrar is not hesitant in acknowledging that his father’s legacy is generating a lot of support for him. “People still remember my father, and when I go to villages the joy on their faces shows as if Abrar Ahmed is returning back,” he says, adding, “But on my part, I have maintained good relations and contacts with the people.”
Although quite young and a rookie, he considers himself experienced politician and not a novice. “I might be contesting elections for the first time. But I am smelling politics since the day I was born,” he says.
Elections in Sawai Madhopur for long have been contested on caste and religious lines. The gruesome killing of SHO Phool Mohammed in Soorwal village of Sawai Madhopur has given rise to new polarizations. Menna community was allegedly behind the killing, it has given rise to enmity between Meena and Muslims.
Enraged Muslims believe that Kirodi Lal Meena had conspired the murder, thus they are aghast with him. Accusations against him are more due to his conspicuous silence. It should be mentioned here that when the Gopalgarh firing took place in September, 2011, it was Kirodi Lal Meena, who sat on week long hunger strike with the dead bodies, demanding actions.
A cross-road has been named after the name ‘martyr’ SHO at the Soorwal Highway.
The anger and tensions due to the murder of the SHO was so soaring that Congress had to deny ticket to sitting legislator Allauddin Azad, who had become MLA by defeating Kirdoi Lal Meena in 2008.
But Danish refrains from directly commenting on the Phool Mohammed issue. He says it was an issue between Meena and Muslims and interfering in it, according to him would give rise to ‘communal politics’.
On record, Danish Abrar might be singing secular over tunes, but through back channel communications, he is not living a stone unturned to ensure that 25% Muslim vote falls in his pocket. The only damaging contestant before his Muslim vote bank was Welfare Party candidate Fasahat Ali. Jamat-e-Islami has considerable presence in Sawai Madhopur villages and WPI candidate contesting doomed loss of crucial chunk of Muslim vote for the Congress.
Sources in WPI top leadership in Rajasthan confirmed to TCN, that Danish Abrar had back channel communications and quite a bit of cajoling to urge WPI candidate to withdraw in his favour. In fact, WPI organized a public meeting in Sawai Madhopur and made Danish sign an open declaration of demands in return of support, that include among many things raising Muslim issues in the Assembly and justice for Phool Mohammed.
Jaipur Rajmata Diya Kumari is contesting on BJP ticket frfom Sawai madhopur.
Sawai Madhopur is an electorally complicated constituency, with 33,000 Muslim votes, an equal number of Meena votes, and an equal number of Schedule Castes votes, 16,000 Mali votes, 14,000 Gujjar votes and 3,000 Jat votes, 5000 votes of upper castes.
Hamayun Kabir, uncle of Danish Abrar who is also managing his campaign in the old town, says number game runs in Danish’s favor. “Muslim will obviously vote for their candidate. Anti-Meena factor has further polarized Muslim community in Congress favor. Gujjars have always been anti-Meena front. Since Meenas opposed their reservation, majority of them will incline towards Congress, although some might go to BJP. Ashok Gehlot is a Mali and so many of them will vote for their CM’s party. As far as SCs are concerned we are hopeful to get half of their votes,” Mr. Kabir explains.
Jaipur Queen, Diya Kumari is also ensuring that she gives a royal contest in the election. Apart from widespread advertisements which landed her in the circle of paid news, she is also hard selling her image as daughter of soil. Jaipur royal families are descendants of Raja Man Singh, brother of Jodhabai, wife of Mughal emperor. The refrain in the Muslim neighbourhoods is often “Dekho, dekho kaun ayee, mamujan ki beti ayee, (Look who has come? Daugther of Uncle).”
The Sangh Parivar has already put their weight behind the queen to create a large Hindu alliance; their formula is H Vs MM (Hindu vs. Muslim-Meena) to polarize Hindu votes in their favor.
Outside Narendra Modi’s rally in Sawai Madhopur.
BJP prime minsiterial candidate Narendra Modi has personally campaigned for her in Sawai Madhopur at Dassera ground on 19th November pulling huge crowds in the sleepy town. He also tried to reach out to Muslims in his speech.
But Congress has already taken Modi’s rally in their favor, according to them Modi’s mere presence in Sawai Madhopur has terrified Muslims and ensured more polarization in the favor of Congress candidate Danish Abrar.
On the other hand Danish is not just selling nightmares to gain votes but also promoting dreams of better future for all. He speaks about his vision of building IT SEZ on the suburb of town to create employment opportunities for youth.
From Ashok Gehlot to Narendra Modi and the contestant ‘Kingmaker’ K L Meena himself has thrown their cards in Sawai Madhopur turning it to be a high level contest. Danish Abrar says, he is not under any pressure from any influence. “What my party has to do, it will do and what I have to do I will do. Inshallah you will see the result we will win Sawai Madhopur,” he says with a diplomatic smile.