Diwali crackers get political ammo in poll-charged state

ALLAHABAD: Fireworks in the Samajwadi Party’s feuding first family and the promise that next year’s polls in Uttar Pradesh could be a political cracker have inspired the light and sound of this Diwali.

Waiting for the fuse to be lit are firecrackers making a political point— from humble “Amar Singh ki phooljhari” or sparklers to topof-the-line “Akhilesh ki Dileri” and “Modi ki Dahaad” bombs.

“Firecrackers inspired by political developments are catching people’s fancy, but not all can afford them. The BJP ki Bhadas, an 80m multi-burst roll of 15,000 firecrackers, has a ₹20,000 price tag,” said Karam Illahi, a wholesale dealer.

“Akhilesh ki Dileri” firecrackers — the third word meaning boldness or the courage the young chief minister has shown to oppose uncle Shivpal Yadav — is finding several brave buyers, considering the ₹12,000 price for

Seller Soni Seth said “Akhilesh” guarantees 510 colourful bursts in the sky.

The “Samajwadi ka tag war” is showcasing the crisis in the ruling party. The cover shows chief minister Akhilesh and uncle Ramgopal Yadav standing on one side, and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav posing with brother Shivpal at the other corner.

Ramgopal, the sacked Akhilesh loyalist, has his cracker to burst too. The “Ramgopal Yadav ki Lal Mirchi”, priced at ₹3,200 with a burst time of 30 minutes, is apparently named after the leader’s remarks in support of Akhilesh that his uncle, Mulayam, thought was hotter than a mirchi.

Amar’s phooljhari represents the Rajya Sabha member’s role in the tug-of-war within the SP.

A “Modi Bomb” with the tagline “BJP ki Bhadas” and “Modi ki Dahaad” is making waves too. Bhadas and Dahaad, meaning anger and roar, are viewed as a take on the BJP’S attempts to gain from the Yadav family dispute. The “Dahaad” is