Lucknow, April 9 (IANS): Campaigning within the Uttar Pradesh panchayat elections goes to canines — actually so.
At least two candidates — one in Rae Bareli and one other in Ballia district — are utilizing stray canines to marketing campaign for them.
These candidates are sticking their posters and pamphlets on the canines and letting them roam round.
One of the candidates who pleaded anonymity, mentioned: “There is no rule in the model code of conduct which prevents us from using stray dogs in the campaign. We are not harming the animal in any way. In fact, we feed the dogs every day. It is a novel idea and the voters are attracted to such innovations.”
The images of the canines with marketing campaign materials caught on them, are going viral on the social media and have evoked robust protests from animal lovers who really feel this ought to be a severely punishable offence.
Reena Mishra, an animal activist mentioned, “How would a man feel if similar stickers are stuck on his face during the election? Just before a dog cannot protest, we have no business to treat them in such a manner. The police should immediately take action against candidates who are resorting to this manner of electioneering.”
Meanwhile, the panchayat polls appear to have introduced a limiteless provide of goodies for the voters and liquor – a staple in polls – shouldn’t be included within the listing.
This time, candidates are choosing different goodies.
A village panchayat candidate Sohanveer in Amroha was booked two days in the past for making ready to distribute 100 kg of ‘rasgullas’ to his voters. The rasgullas have been seized by the police.
In Baghpat, ten individuals, together with the candidate Mohd Jabbar, have been booked for getting spades and an earth mover machine to combine substances for ‘laddoos’ that have been being made in large portions for distribution amongst voters.
A video clip of spades and the earth mover getting used to combine gram flour, sugar and different substances went viral after which motion was taken.
Baghpat circle officer Anuj Mishra, mentioned “Investigations have revealed that Mohd Jabbar, a candidate for the post of village head, along with his supporters had made huge quantity of sweets and distributed them among the villagers, which is a violation of the model code of conduct. A video has also come to our notice, in which he has deployed an earthmover and spades for making laddoos. Jabbar and his nine associates along with a dozen others have been booked under IPC 171[E] (bribery) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).”
In Sultanpur, a zila panchayat candidate is distributing cell phones to ‘influential individuals who can flip votes in my favour’.
The candidate, who spoke on situation of anonymity, mentioned cell phone have been an ‘helpful gadgets’ since kids require them for on-line courses.
“This is the least that I can do for them in the pandemic,” he mentioned.
Liquor, in fact, is a staple a part of campaigning in Uttar Pradesh in virtually each election.
This time, nonetheless, voters are now not accepting ‘desi daru’.
“Campaigning is becoming increasingly expensive and voters are now very specific in their demands. They are even listing their favourite brands and we have to comply if we wish to get their votes,” mentioned a candidate in Kanpur Dehat district.
