Lok Sabha Election 2019: Political parties play 'outsider vs local' card

In a bid to garner maximum number of votes, political parties and their candidates are playing the emotional 'outsider versus local candidate' card in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

In Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency, NCP nominee and MLA Sangram Jagtap has been using this tactic against BJP nominee Dr Sujay Vikhe Patil, son of Congress MLA and leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. Sangram is the residence of Ahmadnagar while Vikhe is from Rahuri from Shirdi Lok Sabha constituency. Jagtap said that the people of Ahmednagar will vote for him because they will prefer a local candidate over an outsider, as it is easier for people to come him with issues even at midnight. "The MP should be within the reach of the people. Only then, they will be able to address people and their constituency issues," Jagtap said.

In Mumbai's North Central constituency, BJP MP Poonam Mahajan is facing this local versus outsider issue against her opponent Congress ex-MP and nominee Priya Dutt. Priya Dutt stays in Bandra while Poonam Mahajan stays in Worli, which is not a part of the North Central constituency.

Shama Kulkarni, social activist and residence of Mumbai North Central constituency said that Priya as the local candidate has more advantage this time against the BJP nominee. "Last time people considered different aspects while they voted but this time they want Priya back as the local candidate. Besides, Priya is very accessible and anyone can barge at her office. We did not see the sitting BJP MP in last five years," Kulkarni said.

On social media platforms too, this local versus outside card has been played to allure the voters.

Interestingly, in Jalgaon Lok Sabha constituency, here the candidates are luring voters based on the distance. NCP nominee Gulabrao Deokar is contesting against BJP MLA Unmesh Patil. Atul Nemade, resident of Jalgaon, said that the Unmesh Patil is from Chalisgaon and that is more than 100 km away from Jalgaon while NCP candidate is from Jalgaon city. "People from Jalgaon feel that if they vote the BJP candidate, then after elections, he will not available incase of any issues. Besides, one can't travel 100 km to meet the MP. On the other hand, NCP candidate is a localite, and hence will be accessible," Nemade said.

In Solapur Lok Sabha constituency, Bahujan Vanchit Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar faced the same issue against Congress nominee Sushilkumar Shinde.

STATE OF AFFAIRS

• In Ahmednagar LS constituency, NCP nominee and MLA Sangram Jagtap has been using this tactic against BJP nominee Dr Sujay Vikhe Patil 
   
• BJP MP Poonam Mahajan is facing this local versus outsider issue against her opponent Congress ex-MP and nominee Priya Dutt