Anna's agitation may have a bearing on 2012 civic polls in Mumbai as people want change

Angry youth, a threat to BMC corporators

Anna's agitation may have a bearing on 2012 civic polls as people want change

It is not just the UPA government that is feeling the heat from Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement. Even sitting BMC corporators are nervous as they fear people will approach the February 2012 civic polls with a different mindset. Most corporators feel Hazare's anti-establishment wave will make it difficult for them to get re-elected. "People are more aware of their rights now and it will reflect in the BMC polls. We may be doing some good work, but people are angry and may vote against incumbents. We need to curb this public perception by highlighting our good work," Congress corporator Mohsin Haider told DNA. "The Congress will not be the lone to suffer though. Others will also have to bear the brunt." Haider, however, pointed out that the voting percentage in civic polls was usually abysmal and therefore, there was not much danger to sitting corporators. "Also, because of reservations, almost 50% of the corporators will have a new constituency," Haider said. Adolf D'souza, an Independent corporator, spoke of the participation of the youth in rallies supporting Hazare's movement. "Most of them are older than 18 and eligible to vote. If they come out in large numbers, they can change the election scenario and bring about a positive change," he said. "Money will not play a vital role then as it usually does in elections. It is good that the youth are taking a stand. I hope they maintain the tempo for better governance and a better India." NCP corporator Niyaz Wanu too admitted that the civic polls would be a different ball game if people supporting Hazare also voted in large numbers. "The affluent population and corporate professionals hardly vote. They prefer to go for a picnic. The BMC election is seven months away and corporators can work hard to dilute the Anna-effect. Slum dwellers could also play a crucial role in electing corporators," Wanu said. A Sena corporator admitted to feeling the jitters after Hazare's anti-corruption crusade began. "We will have a meeting soon to decide on how to curb the Anna-effect. This time the youth is talking about India and its problems, so we have to be on our toes," he said on condition of anonymity. "Usually the youth is lost in his electronic gadgets, bothered only about everything western. This time, we will attract the youth with our agenda as ours is a youth-based party."