V-DAY WOOING.............
Now that the P.M and C.M. are done with their ‘flying visits’ in and out of Tapi town, it’s time to rejoice! All protocol and security measures from Surti streets have been called off. If you have missed out on ‘Dhrujela ni dabeli’ at Parle Point and ‘Mahalaxmi dal wada ‘at Kotsafil road these past few days, fret not. Surti lahriwalas [who get a sniff of incoming delegates 24 hours before we do and have to vamoose] have hit the streets once more.
In a last minute bid to woo the voters for upcoming V-day and attempt mudslinging at their opposition, the potential future faces of the country’s leadership, have given public speaking in Surat a shot .While shoe slinging has become a trend of protest, it is being speculated in Surti political circles, that it may also lead security to make crowds that have come to take a ‘dekko’ at their neta to attend barefoot, in future.
Manmhohanji addressed the hapless yet hopeful diamond workers in a gathering, the magnitude of which has surprised and scared the opposition. Modi in the meantime gave it a go at pleasing the Rana community lest they bear a grudge for BJP’S last minute ditch to Kashiram; despite Rana’s past win- win record.
While Manmhohanji had an entourage of a 32 car cavalcade that spoilt Surti Sunday moods with endless traffic jams at all main and cross roads, Namo’s late arrival at Golwaad on Monday kept the Kotsafil main road off access through the day and caused traffic delay on all other main roads till late hours of the evening. Aam janta cribbed at the discomfort caused by the political head honchos ‘public wooing effort.
There is a certain discomfort amongst punters and pundits regarding this year’s elections.Everyday, new and last minute stories seem to be tipping the scales one way or the other. In no other profession does life take a much more sudden and dramatic turn than it does in politics. Even Bo, at the White House who made it to worldwide headlines overnight will bow-wow in agreement.
Film stars too have joined in the awareness campaign of ‘finger pointing’, this time around; most Surtis are set to administer their right and democratic duty. Armed with their voter’s i.d.card, they have found their names in the electoral toll and the poll booths they need to line up at. Surtis are looking forward to getting the all important tell tale black mark on their index finger ,collect their papers and go behind the curtains to press the button in front of their candidate’s emblem.
What remains to be seen now, is whom do the Surtis see when they shut their eyes within that private place and vote, whether it’s the lotus of success, hand of friendship or engine of progress, remains to be a much speculated mystery, this election of 2009.