Elections behind gang wars in Bangalore?

M. Gautham Machaiah
Bangalore

Rowdies are falling like nine pins in Bangalore on the eve of the elections. In less than a month, about half-a-dozen rowdies have been hacked to death in broad day light by their rivals. But what has this got to do with the upcoming polls?

On the face of it, the incidents appear to be gang wars spilling unto the streets, but there seems to be a sinister design behind this. The question doing the rounds is: Is there a political hand?

The underworld plays a crucial role during elections, mainly in intimidating voters and rival party workers. They form the backbone of any political party, though nobody openly acknowledges this.

With elections round the corner, political parties are said to be neutralising rowdies owing allegiance to their rivals. Once the leader is eliminated, it sends strong signals to the rest of the gang to remain out of the constituency until the end of elections.

Two important points call for attention. One, all the victims are aligned to one political party or the other. Two, these gruesome murders have been committed during the day in full public view to ensure that the message is loud and clear.

In their game of one-upmanship, political parties have turned Bangalore streets into a bloody battle ground, but in the process the garden city might become a better place to live in.

Those who live by the sword die by the sword and there shall be no tears shed for them.

(Picture sourced from: http://i.pbase.com/o6/01/743501/1/73243349.WPB9uXB6.KnifeBlood_11.JPG)

COMMENTS

It is true that rowdies are going to play a major role in the present elections. In fact, rowdies are one of the most influential factors having a bearing on the voting percentage. It is clear that by creating havoc in the society these rowdies do not want the supporters of a particular political party or candidate to come out to vote on April 23. The gruesome day light murders of aides of political leaders in Bangalore is just an example of politicians’ nexus with the underworld. The Election Commission and the police should create a conducive atmosphere for people to cast their vote fearlessly.
-Siddappa Kaloji, Bangalore

Damn good copy. You hit the nail on the head. Cheers!
-Vedam Jaishankar, Bangalore