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Chhota general vs. Bada general

By Sujay Mehdudia

PAURI GARHWAL (UTTARANCHAL), APRIL 20 . This contest has generated immense interest among the hill folk. Being dubbed as a clash between the two retired generals, the Pauri Garwhal Lok Sabha constituency is all set to witness the "Bada General'' take on the "Chhota General''. Interestingly, the "Chhota General'' who happens to be the Union Surface Transport Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, Major General (Retd.), B. C. Khanduri, certainly enjoys the advantage over his senior in the battle of the ballot.

Issues related to ex-servicemen and unemployment dominate the election campaign in this region of Uttaranchal. The indifference of the electorate could create problems for the Congress candidate and State Tourism Minister, Lieutenant General (Retd.) T.P.S. Rawat, who enjoys respect among his constituents but could face the anti-incumbency factor. The infighting within the Congress could also prove detrimental to the interests of the party and affect the final outcome. However, there are still nearly 20 days to go for the polls and the scenario could witness a change.

For his part, Maj. Gen. Khanduri does not see it as a clash between the two former Generals and accuses the Congress of making Lt.Gen. Rawat a scapegoat. Interestingly, the strongman of Congress Garhwal and godman, Satpal Maharaj, has backed out of the contest in view of the anti-incumbency sentiment prevailing in the hills against the N.D. Tiwari Government.

Maj. Gen. Khanduri enjoys the reputation of a representative who took care of his constituency and nurtured it well. He is credited with laying down a network of roads in the area and also strengthening the National Highways passing through the State. The constituency has a large presence of ex-servicemen and virtually every member of a family is either in the armed forces or the paramilitary forces. However, the continued rise in unemployment and lack of opportunities is also becoming a big issue and this is where the Congress Government could get hurt.

On the other hand, Lt. Gen. Rawat is determined to give his opponent a fight to the finish. Labelled as a formidable rival by the Congress camp, the Tourism Minister is leaving no stone unturned to expose his rival alleging that he had done nothing worthwhile for the area. The Pauri Garhwal constituency is spread over Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Dehra Dun districts of the Garhwal region. It has been instrumental in providing a large share of manpower to the Indian Army over the past five decades.

Not to be left behind, the Congress has raked up the issue of `One rank one pension', a sensitive issue in this ex-servicemen dominated constituency. Maj. Gen. Khanduri is quick to counter the Congress propaganda and accuses it of not doing enough on the issue except blaming the BJP. "Our party had supported `one rank one pension' and were instrumental in giving one time hike despite objections from Fifth Pay Commission. A Committee of Secretaries was also set up to look into other related issues,'' he remarked. He also does not like the contest being termed as a fight between two generals. "It is a political fight between rival political parties and terming it as a clash between two generals is very unfortunate," he states. Similarly, the issue of rehabilitation of large number of soldiers killed in Jammu and Kashmir and in the North-East during counter insurgency operations is also being raked up.

There is also resentment to the fact that while the next of kin of those killed during the Kargil war have received handsome compensation, the families of army personnel martyred in other operations have not been compensated in the same manner.

Interestingly, another important factor that Lt. Gen. Rawat hopes would work in his favour is the caste combination. As such, he is leaving no stone unturned to project himself as the Rajput soldier against the Union Surface Transport Minister who is a Brahmin.

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