(The Tribune
December 1à, 2007)
Religious leaders calling the shots
Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Amreli (Kutch), December 9
Regardless of which political party wins the Assembly elections due on December 11 and 16, the real beneficiaries from this electoral exercise would be the state’s powerful sadhus who are playing a major role in Gujarat politics.
Sadhus and seers, including those from the powerful Swaminarayan sect, are ranged on either side of the political spectrum. The BJP, which used to be the flag-bearer of Hindutva in the state, is on the defensive as several prominent seers have thrown their lot with the rebels from that party apart from the Congress.
With several BJP dissidents contesting on Congress tickets, the sadhus of the state have also switched sides. “In many ways this is a BJP versus BJP campaign defectors. Disgruntled Congressmen are also campaigning for BJP candidates thereby causing confusion among voters and candidates alike,” says Bharat Chauhan, editor, Awadh Times, published from here.
A few religious seers are coming out into the open. While the famed preacher Asaram Bapu is still backing Chief Minister Narendra Modi, others including those from the powerful Swaminarayan sect have switched support to the Congress.
Umeshbhai, a supporter of Congress candidate Paresh Danani from Amreli said,“The sants are angry with Narendra Modi because he has been dividing Hindus against Muslims, Hindus on caste lines and even the BJP workers themselves.”.
Avichaldasji Maharaj and his sants began their campaign against Modi from this historic Somnath Temple earlier this month and would cover Central and South Gujarat before the polling day, according to information available here. The BJP has put out that the ‘sadhu yatra’ has been organised by the Congress. Though the Congress denies any hand behind the ‘sadhu yatra’, no body is buying the story here.
Political analysts say that the campaign would badly dent the BJP votes in at least 35 of the 182 constituencies in Gujarat. Most of these constituencies like Vadodra, Kheda, Panchmahals, etc are seen as the party’s strongholds.
Joining Avichaldasji Maharaj against Modi is Swami Satyaprakash (SP Swami) of the Gadhada sub-sect of the Swaminarayans. Another religious leader of the sect, Lalji Nrugendraprasad, has mobilised hundreds of followers who are touring the hinterlands of Kutch and Saurashtra campaigning against Modi. According to reports emanating from the interiors of Gujarat, the sadhus are accusing Modi of trying to wrest control of some of the state’s richest temples.
Gujarat’s sadhus who command huge followings enjoy immense benefits like land from the government and numerous trusts scattered all over the state. The coming elections will see them emerge as a major political force in the state as well.
|
