Tea and a plateful of politics
Tea stalls and cafes in Prayagraj offer a platform for spirited political debates as customers discuss the coming elections over their brew
PRAYAGRAJ: With impending Lok Sabha elections, the ubiquitous tea stalls and cafes here have once again turned into a forum for political debates.
People can be seen and heard analysing the political situation and making speculations over different possibilities in the upcoming polls over a cuppa.
Declaration of names of BJP candidates from Allahabad and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats on Wednesday has also heated the poll atmosphere. People discussed these names and the fact if they will be able to attract voters in their favour.
Speculations are being made about the victory of different candidates. Long discussions, especially in the Old City area, help voters form an opinion ahead of voting day.
Although tea and coffee stalls are not allowed to remain open till late at night, they are favourite hangouts for people and supporters of different political hues.
Not only workers of political parties but people from all walks of life discuss politics at tea and coffee stalls in Atala, Akbarpur, Khuldabad, Rani Mandi, Loknath, Kalyani Devi, Muthiganj, Bahadurganj, Kydganj, Chakia, Daraganj, Katra, Kareli, Noor Ullah Road etc.
“People in Prayagraj are addicted to politics and have a keen interest,” says Abhay Awasthi,
a local senior Congress leader.
Several cups of tea are downed as an argument ensues. All have different views on issues and organisations. It is almost difficult for these discussions to reach a conclusion, Awasthi says.
A similar debate rages at a tea stall in Akbarpur area. Arshad and Rashid, two local traders, say political discussions are an essential part of the poll season and the tea adds the necessary spice to the debate.
Chhotu and Sanjay are contractors and move around in the city for their work during the day. They visit different tea stalls every day and thus have experienced these debates from close quarters. “The most interesting part of political discussions at these tea stalls is that they do not come to a conclusion. Each participant has logic to counter the opponents’ claims. Some are staunch supporters of a particular party and try to gain support through arguments,” they said.
In old city areas, the topic of debate is whether or not the minority community is supporting AIMIM . Sitting outside a tea stall at Atala, a group of residents argue over giving votes to AIMIM. While Rehan, Afzal and others say that AIMIM may get some seats, others immediately rule out their claims.
Political discussions at tea stalls in Chakia area were always centred around former MP and Mafiosi-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed ahead of every poll. As Atiq or members of his family have been continuously contesting state and parliamentary elections from 1989 till 2017, his supporters have always held political discussions. However, with Atiq and Ashraf dead, now their old political affiliations and elections are being discussed.