In Zamania town, 85-year-old Ram kaka is regaling youngsters with his wisdom. Ask him about the current elections and he says it is the most peaceful in recent times. "People can come out and vote without fear. It is really a good thing. But I don't think the people will come out and vote, leaving their farms unattended. It is of no use to them. We'll see," he says.
Bhirender, the shop owner, feels that the turnout will be low in this phase also. "But the lower caste people will definitely come and vote. It will be either the SP or the BSP here too," he says.
So, have the Election Commission's measures inadvertently helped the two parties that claim to champion the cause of the lower castes, especially the BSP?
"Definitely," says A K Shrivastava, resident editor of the Hindi daily Amar Ujala. "It is a good thing that the lower caste is coming out to vote. Earlier, it used to be the upper caste people all the way. But this time, strangely, while the lower caste is coming out to vote due to the excellent security arrangements, the upper caste people are not so enthusiastic. It is as though they have given up on the process. Everything is working in favour of Mayawati," he says.
Image: The 85-year-old farmer, Ram Kaka.
Also see: Seeking signs in Rae Bareli
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