Assembly polls: What is at stake for those who are hoping to net top job?

The results will be out on March 10. But what was the ground covered during the campaign for elections to five state Assemblies and what is at stake for those who are hoping to net the top job? Aditi Phadnis looks at the themes that made the election and the leaders whose fortunes are on the line

Uttar Pradesh

The campaign

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made law and order a big issue: How earlier governments couldn’t control criminals and worse, got them to let off because they were from a one or other caste, while the Adityanath government has toned up the police, making the streets safer for women. The BJP also emphasised on the advantages of a double-engine sarkar (having the same party in power in the Centre and the state). The Samajwadi Party (SP) harked on its own record of development, highlighted the BJP government’s failures in the farming sector and health management, and issued the longest manifesto the party has ever issued, making promises to provide jobs, education, and infrastructure.

The contenders

The BJP has made it clear that Yogi Adityanath is its chief ministerial candidate, although there are some in the party who have said that the appointment of the new chief minister (CM) will be decided after the election. But if the BJP’s tally falls far short of its previous performance, some knives will be out for many of those who are currently in government — including the CM.

The Samajwadi Party has no doubts at all: If it comes to power, Akhilesh Yadav will become CM.

Goa

The campaign

It was about jobs — and more jobs. The BJP has promised that if it comes to power, it will open up mining jobs, and ensure industrial activity, especially through steel mining restarts. The Congress and the Trinamool Congress, already involved in a spat as each accused the other of dividing the anti-BJP vote by not having an alliance, fought bitterly over the TMC’s promise of a Rs 5,000-a-month ‘unemployment allowance’ that the Congress said was simply not possible. The Aam Aadmi Party is also promising a cash allowance, but only Rs 1,000 a month and only to women.

The contenders

Main BJP claimant for chief ministership Pramod Sawant has been named chief minister by party president JP Nadda and the BJP state in charge CT Ravi even as veterans like Laxmikant Parsekar, former CM and for 55 years in the BJP, turned their back on their party. Utpal Parrikar, the son of former CM Manohar Parrikar, is fighting as an independent, having been denied a BJP ticket. In the Congress, many are hopeful as the party is yet to name a CM. The Aam Aadmi Party, making its debut in the state, has named Amit Palekar as its candidate.

Uttarakhand

The campaign

Issues of development in the hill state, jobs, and extended medical infrastructure have been flagged by all parties. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged the Congress’s “agenda of appeasement”. Campaigning for the Congress, Priyanka Gandhi raised issue of unemployment, and promised women up to 40 per cent reservation in police jobs and capping the price of LPG cylinders. She said the three agriculture laws that led to a year-long farmers’ protest would only enrich the wealthy supporters of the BJP at the cost of the farmers.

The contenders

Harish Rawat, the veteran Congressman, made waves when he lashed out at a couple of colleagues for trying to undermine him and made a public statement that he did not want to contest the elections, which had the Congress leadership rushing to placate him. In the BJP, chief minister Pushkar Dhami got a boost when Home Minister Amit Shah said Dhami had the ‘blessings’ of the Prime Minister and would become the BJP’s chief minister — the party has had three chief ministers in its five-year term. The Aam Aadmi Party has named a chief minister. But the party will have to work hard to reach that point.

Punjab

The campaign

The ruling Congress has faced a rollercoaster ride: It changed its chief minister Amrinder Singh midway through the campaign, and brought a Dalit chief minister, faced charges of not doing enough on issues of sacrilege, and faced searching questions on issues of governance, including opioids. Despite this, the party has focused on the farm sector reform and with days to go for the election, introduced extensive changes in the way the power sector is governed. A ‘security incident’ involving a breach of the PM’s security has not gone down well in the state for the BJP. The Akali Dal’s campaign has been along predictable lines.  AAP has promised a monthly allowance for women, which might prove a powerful lure for women voters.

The contenders

Charanjit Singh Channi was made chief minister (CM) by his party, the Congress, literally months before the election. It stands to reason he and the Congress see him as CM, though Navjot Sidhu, Punjab unit party chief, has made it clear he’s in the race as well. Via an in-party survey, the Aam Aadmi Party has named Bhagwant Mann, former actor, its candidate for CM. In the Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal continues to be the par­ty’s top choice.  The BJP and former CM Amrinder Singh, now the BJP’s ally, are not in the running.

Manipur

The campaign

While the BJP’s poll manifesto (among other things) promised to preserve the rights of the indigenous people, two extra LPG cylinders, and free electric scooter to college going girls, the Congress has pledged a Manipur Cultural Diversity Policy, provide free critical medical treatment for children, creating a Manipur regiment in the Indian Army, and repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Unemployment, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and lack of available drinking water are issues flagged by all parties. The conclusion of the Naga talks as well as peace and development figures are at the top of the poll agenda.

The contenders

Midway through the election campaign, N Biren Singh was named the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate, after the party got strong indications that in a hung Assembly scenario, there could be floor crossing. However, everything depends on the role played by National People’s Party Chief and Meghalaya Chief Minister (CM) Conrad Sangma, who has said that his party will not be king (chief minister) in Manipur, but kingmaker. The Congress is banking on Okrom Ibobi Singh. In the end, smaller parties led by former members of Congress and BJP might force a CM on the party that has the higher numbers.