In the Mahatma’s land

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.