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Cong's new-found Sardar fervour finds few takers

Cong's new-found Sardar fervour finds few takers

Author: Kumkum Chadha
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: November 13, 2002

On June 5 1975 Indira Gandhi passed through Karamsad on her way to Peplad. People rushed to garland her. She mingled with the crowds. She seemed to have enough time on her hands. Ghanshyam Patel, then a young man, was watching her. He had left his village early to catch a glimpse of her. The day is etched in his memory. He has not been able to accept that Indira Gandhi gave a go-by to the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: "Mur ke bhi nahin dekha, bas chali gayin."

Ghanshyam echoes the sentiment of the entire village which has not forgiven the Nehru-Gandhi clan for cold-shouldering Sardar Patel. History, they say, substantiates that Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel were adversaries. It is against this backdrop that they hold the Congress responsible for undermining Sardar Patel and propping up lesser leaders. Consequently, the Congress latest move to launch its election campaign from Patels birthplace is being met with cynicism.

Today the locals are mute spectators to the arrangements being made to welcome the bigwigs from Delhi. Sardar House is being spruced up because the Congress has decided to pull out Patel and bring him centerstage for electoral gain. At least this is how the people of Karamsad interpret the much publicised event where Sonia Gandhi was to have visited Karamsad but ultimately did not. "Sonia Gandhi will never come. Neither Nehru nor Indira Gandhi have ever set foot in Karamsad because they resent Patel. Sonia Gandhi is no different," says Manubhai, a local.

Conceding Sonias visit would not make a difference to the Congress electoral fortunes, Manubhai says, "At best it would have sent a signal that the clan is atoning its sins."

"Sardar Patel was an untouchable for the Congress. The election has changed everything," the locals say.

The Congress, therefore, has begun on a wrong note. The Karamsad rebuff will only add to its woes, the foremost being an unfavourable comparison with BJP and Modi.

In addition to its Hindu support base, the BJP is believed to have done Sardar Patel proud: "Only the BJP has done justice to Patels memory. Modi chose Karamsad to begin his yatra."

Meanwhile...
 


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