E-Paper
DURG
Sharp division within castes and community is likely to play a key role in the outcome of the battle for Durg Lok Sabha constituency in Chattisgarh.
Sharp division within castes and community is likely to play a key role in the outcome of the battle for Durg Lok Sabha constituency in Chattisgarh on April 20.
During a visit to the constituency, a common refrain was that traditional caste and community arithmetic might turn the applecart of either of the candidates of the two main rival parties BJP and Congress.
While Congress has fielded Bhupesh Baghel, a Kurmi, BJP has once again fielded sitting MP Tara Chand Sahu belonging to trader's community.
According to state Youth Congress General Secretary Mohammad Tahir, by fielding Baghel, who is a Kurmi by caste, the party hopes to gain wholesale support of that backward caste.
On the other hand, BJP is banking on the support of Sahus, a trader community, by re-nominating Tarachand Sahu.
Insiders, however, feel that differences within both castes might hamper the prospects of both parties.
It is said that the division is so sharp that if one faction votes for Congress, the other will go to BJP lock, stock and barrel.
An interesting fact which has come to light is that due to traditional rivalry between the Kosariya and Jhiriya community members of the Sahu caste, Tarachand Sahu loses Kosariya support despite winning thrice because he belongs to the Jhiriya community.
However, the Congress might not get the entire slice of Kurmi votes as the Chenahu sub-section of the caste might not support Baghel, a Manuva Kurmi, and instead vote for BSP candidate Shri Mataji, who belongs to Chenahu sub-caste.
It is generally believed that over four lakh Kurmi voters along with 75,000 minority community members have been supporting Congress.
But with the demise of former Durg MP Chandulal Chandrakar, the BJP won Durg seat with the tactical support of the Manuva Kurmi.
The caste composition in the constituency is five lakh Sahu, four lakh Kurmi, 50,000 Brahmins and four lakh others and a slight tilt could make or mar the fate of a candidate.
There are 11 candidates in the fray in Durg this time. Besides candidates from BJP, Congress and BSP, Samajwadi Party has fielded a Muslim candidate and rest are independents.
