SCAM, KASAB and more: Acronym war generates heat

it started with PM Narendra Modi collectively dubbing the opposition as SCAM

LUCKNOW: With political parties coining a new acronym every day and the opposition deciphering the same as per their suitability, the battle for votes is only turning unpleasant.

While it started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi collectively dubbing the opposition as SCAM (Samajwadi, Congress, Akhilesh and Mayawati), chief minister Akhilesh Yadav gave it a different twist.

As per Akhilesh, SCAM stood for ‘Save Country from Amit Shah and Modi’. For Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, SCAM, however, stands for service, courage, ability and modesty.

Later, BJP chief Amit Shah coined the acronym, KASAB, on the name of the terrorist who was hanged for 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.

For Shah, Kasab means Congress (Kangress in Hindi), SaPa (Samajwadi Party) and BSP.

In reply, Akhilesh’s wife and Kannauj MP Dimple Yadav said KASAB stood for Computers (Kamputer in Hindi), Smartphone And Behno ke liye dher saari yojnaye (lot many schemes for sisters).

Chief minister, in his reply to Kasab jibe, said Ka stood for Kabootar (pigeon) and the opposition will soon fly away like pigeons.

BSP chief Mayawati, while attacking Modi for coining new acronyms, said Narendra Damodardas Modi stood for Negative Dalit Man. Modi had called the BSP as Behanji Sampatti Party and Mayawati had reciprocated the jibe by calling the BJP as the Bharatiya Jumla Party.

MISSING IN ACTION: THE THREE GANDHIS

The 2017 UP poll would also be remembered for the three Gandhis staying away from active campaigning.

While the most missed would be Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who have skipped campaigning in party pocket boroughs, Rae Bareli and Amethi, her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also largely kept away from addressing political rallies.

Priyanka, many insist, had been leading the Congress’ campaign in Amethi since 1999. Although she joined her brother Rahul for a day’s campaign in Rae Bareli, she stayed away from campaigning in Lok Sabha seat of her brother in 2017 assembly election. Priyanka had campaigned for Sonia in 1999 Lok Sabha polls.

BJP MP from Sultanpur Varun Gandhi has also stayed away from campaigning in 2017 assembly elections so far.

Other leaders missing from the poll campaign include BJP stalwarts Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.

Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan has also not campaigned in Uttar Pradesh till date.

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has also stayed away from major part of campaigning in the 2017 assembly polls.

So far, Mulayam has addressed public meetings only in favour of his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav and daughter-inlaw Aparna Yadav.