Election fever grips people, and how! Weddings, receptions, religious ceremonies, social dos, sports events, clubbing etc are no exceptions. A friend from Vidarbha, where the second phase of voting took place on Friday, added one more thing to the list—the funeral.

My friend shared with me a story of how solemn last rites held in his neighbourhood transformed into an election rally when some grievers participated in the shok sabha (condolence meet) held at the funeral ground, immediately after the departed soul was put on the pyre for final journey.

A couple of speakers spoke highly of the dead, shared the family’s grief and pledged to stand in solidarity with the survivors. The next few stuck to the main agenda, but the scene changed as the next lot, known for their acceptability in the community that the dead and most of the mourners belonged to, articulated.

“The shok sabha took a different direction as the respectable speakers, after praising the dead person, suddenly asked the mourners to unitedly support a particular alliance. They justified their appeal with explanation. They appealed to the people present to not support fringe parties to make it a straight fight. They said it will be a real tribute to the person who was laid to rest,” the friend told me, describing how the pall of gloom turned into an impromptu experience of election rallying and excitement, albeit misplaced.

The appeal did create an impact, informed the friend, because he saw his fellow grievers nodding in agreement with the speakers. Later, some people were seen exchanging their views with the political messengers.

Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore
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