NOT JUST IN THE NAME OF RAM

When voting, Ayodhya has always looked at issues beyond the temple

- PUJA AWASTHI

FAITH THAT WAVERING, amorphous being-is as difficult to describe as it is to tame. Think of it as a shape-shifter. In Ayodhya (Faizabad parliamentary constituency), a town of big faith and bigger mysteries, it has changed form swiftly. And in what might appear to be equal part disbelief and myth, Ayodhya does not vote solely in the name of its most loved son, Ram.

In its narrow lanes-resonating with the sounds of bells and conch shells-along the drying Sarayu and under a cruel summer sun, the Ram Mandir is not 'the' roaring electoral issue. The loud excitement of January 22-the day of the pran pratishtha (consecration) of the idol of Ram-has settled into the monotonous twang of everyday living. For local residents, there are the huge crowds to grapple with.

For Lord Ram, there is an unending stream of devotees, keeping him awake as he smiles at them beyond the regular darshan hours. (There have been repeated appeals to delay visits till the crowds are more manageable.) Ayodhya, which cast its vote on May 20, has not always favoured the stalwarts of the Ram Mandir movement. In this nagri (city) of tyaag (sacrifice), poor losers have been made out of giant winners. In 1998, instead of choosing Vinay Katiyar, founder of the Bajrang Dal, the constituency went with Mitrasen Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. A year later, Katiyar romped home. In 2004, he was out, and Yadav, who was then with the Bahujan Samaj Party, won.

In 2009, the electorate went with Nirmal Khatri of the Congress. Lallu Singh, 69, of the BJP won the seat in the last two elections.