The Election Commission (EC) has rejected the nomination of Tej Bahadur Yadav from Varanasi. He was the BSF jawan dismissed from service in 2017 after he brought out a video highlighting the poor quality of food served to soldiers on the front line. The Returning Officer (RO) cited Yadav’s failure to submit a certificate that he was not sacked for either corruption or disloyalty. Yadav, in turn, has moved the Supreme Court challenging the EC’s decision to cancel his candidature. The candidature of Yadav has been nothing short of optics. He wanted to contest against Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on a Samajwadi Party ticket. The party had initially fielded Shalini Yadav against Modi but replaced her with Yadav. It was a brilliant move to take the wind out of the sails of Modi’s campaign mantra claiming credit for the country’s military successes. Modi had been highlighting the offensives of the military under his government, including the surgical strikes and the air strikes at Balakot. The latest development is bound to hurt Modi’s prospects further and to make Yadav a hero among the masses. If nothing else, by manipulating the government machinery so very blatantly, Modi and cohorts have proven that they are scared of any contender who fights against him. This would give Yadav greater publicity than he would otherwise have received. There is plenty of room to doubt the actions of the EC given the way the body has handled the complaints against the prime minister’s campaign speeches that were alleged to be in violation of the model code of conduct. The climax, obviously, is not allowing the major opposition party’s candidate papers as valid. This action has further weakened the image of impartiality and integrity of the EC as an institution. It is seen to be biased today, with a distinct bend, not slant, favoring the government. The fall of the EC is not surprising given the way the BJP government under Modi has gone about destroying democratic institutions. If the CBI earned the sobriquet ‘caged parrot’, other institutions have equally been systematically demolished. Be it the Reserve Bank, Central Information Commission, the Planning Commission including the Parliament, none have been spared. The government also has little positive to show as effects of the changes it has brought about, except bring all these institutions under a dark shadow of doubt and misgivings.
If blocking of the candidature of Yadav is motivated by political reasons, as it appears to be, it is sure to backfire. If the Apex Court finds merit in Yadav’s contention which it most likely would not dare do, there is nothing that can block him from contesting against Modi. His candidature is then bound to give Modi a run for his money. It should not be forgotten that Yadav, as the Samajwadi Party nominee, is the main Opposition candidate against the incumbent Prime Minister. The denial of candidature to Yadav also indicates the uncertainty that may be creeping into the ruling dispensation about the prospects of Modi at the election. Although Modi has campaigned around the country, chiefly projecting a jingoistic face, it may not have had the desired impact on people. Citizens of the country are still deeply influenced by matters of daily life than what happens on the front. Acts such as Demonetization, GST, the pro rich and anti labour policies and such have not created a very healthy atmosphere favoring the BJP. The election campaign of Prime Minister Modi may be likened to an aerial survey of cyclone affected areas. There is much in the air but little on the ground. The battle for Varanasi appears to be getting keener with the latest developments involving Yadav. This is a time when both the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India will have their worthiness checked.
