LS polls 2014: Modi mania grips Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: With the election season in full swing, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is emerging as the new 'woh', robbing the mental peace of wives in Gujarat - not unlike the soccer widows in football-crazy nations when the World Cup is on. Obsessed with the political fortune of Modi, a large number of men are hooked to watching political drama on TV and reading newspapers and social media, leaving the wives feeling terribly neglected.

"My husband refuses to turn off the television even after midnight, tracking how Modi is performing politically. Any talk about home, life and even work is impossible during this time. Weekend parties have become a platform for animated discussions on politics. My husband's mind is occupied with Modi, there's no space for me," lamented Nikita Shah, 32, wife of a businessman.

Premila Pathak said she has shifted to another room where she spends the evenings reading books and listening to music after dinner. All this while her husband tracks news on TV between eight and 11pm without break. "We used to go out for walks post-dinner but now my husband parks himself in front of television tracking news. I've given up on him till the results are out," said Premila, a housewife.

Consulting psychotherapist and hypnotherapist Dr Shashikala Nair said she gets back home from work to see her husband in front of TV. "This overload of election information, candidate statistics and numbers are taking a toll on families. Most wives are complaining of irritated or pre-occupied husbands who think of nothing but elections," said Nair.

Experts say the constant bombardment of news is leading to soft aggression. "For many, the priority has shifted from family to politics," said psychiatrist, Dr Hansal Bhachech. The men in their defence say just as women are hooked to TV soaps, election time is political drama unfolding live. "In three hours, breaking news is flashed at least 20 times. Political attacks and counter-attacks are so engrossing, these beat saas-bahu serials hands down. Moreover, since Modi is from Gujarat, this election is all the more interesting," says Himanshu Bhatt, a structural engineer.