If Tibetans had a vote, PM would win hands downThere are close to one lakh Tibetans in the sprawling Tibetan township of Mcleodganj in Dharamshala, the abode of the Tibetan government-in-exile. Most of them have been born and brought up here, and though they don't have the franchise, the poll fever has not left them untouched. During lunch hour there are avid discussions on the relative merits of the Congress and the BJP and the evenings are spent glued to the TV for poll-related programmes. Many have even attended campaign meetings, if only for the ``superb oratory'' of Atal Behari Vajpayee.They mix a great deal with the locals in fact most of the shops in the tourist-infested lanes are owned by Indians and they are a fairly accurate barometer of the prevailing mood. This time they predict that ``the BJP may do better than during the last election. The Congress has been harmed by in-fighting.'' Confesses a 35-year-old Tibetan intellectual: ``We are very interested in Indian politics; it isdifficult to think of it as being different from our system for this is our second home.''Most of them confess they are BJP followers. ``It is the only party which has included Tibet as a human rights issue in its manifesto,'' says one. Vajpayee in particular is highly respected, second only to Samata Party leader George Fernandes. While the latter is adored because ``he said China was India's greatest enemy and has consistently opposed totalitarian regimes'', Vajpayee is Hero No. 2. The admiration has its roots in history.Recounts a 50-year-old teacher: ``When Tibet was invaded by China, Vajpayee was the first leader to protest in front of the Chinese embassy. And after the Pokharan blasts, he wrote to Bill Clinton that China is a security threat to India.''A 30-year-old Tibetan says: ``Vajpayee due to his vast knowledge and experience may be a better choice for India. Sonia is too new to politics.'' His friend adds with a smile: ``Tibetans have a lot of respect for age, so they like Vajpayee. Alsohe has no family interests to think of and will be more dedicated to the cause of the nation.'' Sitting before a PC in a Tibetan government office, a 24-year-old speaks out: ``You've tried the Congress for so long, why not give a chance to Vajpayee. I think his party can deliver.'' Sitting MP Shanta Kumar is also a favourite on two counts - he has authored a book on the Chinese invasion and is a Dalai Lama admirer.Amid all this praise for the BJP, the only dissenting note is struck by a pretty 22-year-old Tibetan girl who has just shifted to Mcleodganj from UP a few weeks ago. She says: ``Vajpayee's Hindu way of approaching things is not acceptable. Sonia has a broader, more secular outlook. Also once a coalition has failed, it is bound to fail again. With Sonia, there is more chance of stability.''Other Tibetans disagree, most of them being staunch critics of the Nehru family. Declares a middle-aged Tibetan: ``Nehru sacrificed Tibet. He acknowledged it as a part of China. If Sonia becomes PM, it willbe difficult for her to change that statement.''
