Battle to corner decisive votes of ESM

A battle within a battle. The Congress and BJP in Uttarakhand are trying hard to corner a sizeable chunk of votes belonging to ESM and their families, which could prove decisive in the Pauri Lok Sabha by- poll.

With less than 10 days remaining for the polls, both the parties are trying to woo this section of voters. There are also a significant number of voters belonging to ex- para military personnel and their families in the constituency.

The February 24 contest is crucial for Congress candidate Satpal Maharaj and BJP's TPS Rawat. A former Congressman and retired Lieutenant General, Rawat is contesting the seat vacated by Chief Minister BC Khanduri, who is a retired Major General.

ESM and their families are the single largest section of voters in this constituency spread across Dehradun, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pauri districts in the Garhwal region of the state. Their votes had played a significant role in getting Khanduri elected four times to the Lok Sabha from this seat in 1991, 1998, 1999 and 2004 and would be crucial during this by- poll too.

According to estimates, there are nearly 27,000 serving defence personnel, over 54,000 ex-servicemen and nearly 81,000 widows of ex-servicemen in the Pauri constituency at present. In order to counter the combined might of Khanduri and Rawat, the Congress is planning to use the services of Lt Gen Gambhir Singh Negi (Retd), a former Commandant of Indian Military Academy and chairman of State Public Services Commission, who joined the party recently. Negi along with other members of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Ex-servicemen Congress, the ESM unit of the party, would tour the constituency from February 16 and ask voters to support Maharaj.

"A true soldier is known for his loyalty and trust. By switching loyalties from the Congress to BJP without giving any credible reason, Lt Gen TPS Rawat has betrayed those in the party who trusted and gave him such affection," said Negi.

Meanwhile, the BJP has received support from the Uttarakhand unit of All India ex-Para Military Personnel Association that decided on Thursday to canvass for Lt Gen TPS Rawat (Retd) in view of his clean image and services as Director General of Assam Rifles. There are nearly one lakh voters of para- military forces and their families which includes BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles, CISF in the constituency.

"No party can ignore such a vast number of voters," said SS Kothiyal, president of the unit.

Hindustan Times
Indian Express

Comments
It is heartening to see many Generals entering the election fray. Army Generals as leaders, once elected should evince more interest in developmental works, which should be geared up like operations of war, combating poverty, building infrastructure, ensuring clean water, and providing sound education for the masses. True Leadership in Democracy needs instilling and enforcing abundant discipline in every sphere of life. Kudos to our Indian Army Generals who will make an impact in the future destiny of India.