February 25: Survival is tough for candidates with a clean past. The CPI's Champaklal Joshi and the Congress' Arjun Modvadia are considered `saints' compared to their rivals. They have to move around under heavy protection usually shielded by supporters who are threatened with dire consequences. The result: campaigning is a low-key affair for the Congress, the CPI, the Janata Dal and some Independent candidates.``Jo dar gaya woh mar gaya,'' says Modvadia, who is a member of the senate and syndicate of Saurashtra University. ``The pressure in the form of threats, muscle and money power from these gang lords is so intense that it is easy to break. A couple of phone calls keep supporters and key campaigners confined at home. But still, we are trying,'' says Modvadia.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
