In 2012 state elections, the BJP had won 15 out of 16 assembly seats from Surat. But now, the saffron party’s invincibility is being challenged due to the resentment against the implementation of GST and Patidar agitation.
Known for its diamond and textile trade, Surat has been sending BJP MPs to Lok Sabha since 1989. It was also the constituency of Morarji Desai, who won from Surat five times. As the district goes to polls on December 9, BJP has been using its heavyweight leaders to keep the electorate within its fold.
It was not without reason that the BJP asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to interact with the traders of the city, early this week to address their problems. Jaitley assured them that their concerns will be addressed and asked them to bring a delegation to Delhi. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held his rally in Choryasi, a constituency dominated by workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, too, visited Surat to woo the trading community.
Prime Minister Modi in his rally in Katodara had invoked the Gujarati Asmita to remind people that Congress has always been insulting the people of Gujarat.
To micromanage the campaign, BJP’s Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar has been made incharge of the 16 assembly seats. Union Minister Jitendra Singh has been made the zone incharge of South Gujarat with base in Surat. He is also the co-incharge of BJP elections along with four other central ministers.
Shelar’s role has been to organise the candidates’ work and engage with the traders, as Mumbai has close links with the business community in Surat. Shelar has brought in his team of office bearers and workers from Mumbai to assist him in his work. Several Delhi leaders like Manoj Tewari, Tejinder Singh Bagga also camped in the city to help the candidates.
Such heavy deployment of leaders from outside Gujarat is aimed to win over its core base that was hit hard by demonetisation and GST.
“This is the first elections where people are thinking about having a strong opposition. It should be jolted,” says diamond trader in Surat. He requested anonymity saying otherwise it could be held against him. There were many others around him who agreed that the trade was badly hit in the last one year.
After Narendra Modi moved out, the BJP in Surat is facing stiff opposition in the areas dominated by Patels. Infact, PM’s rally was shifted from Kamrej to Kadodara fearing protests by the Patels.
In political atmosphere polarised by the caste affiliations, many locals questioned incumbent CM Vijay Rupani, who a Jain, a caste which has a small population share in the state.
The situation has changed rapidly in the past two years. After the Patel agitation, it is for the first time that people are questioning the government. But, they are quick to add that the BJP will return to power in the state.
Under Modi, traders say that law and order, infrastructure had improved vastly in last 20 years. “Whatever others may say now, it was because of Modi that there is no crime in the state. We feel safe in our markets and women and roam around freely,” Samir Desai, a diamond broker said.
Surat was centre of Patidar agitation and later GST protests. Interestingly, in these state elections, leaders of both the parties are talking national issues, leaving aside the local needs of the residents.
Gujarat has over 4.36 crore voters, out of which 2.26 crore are in the age bracket of 18-39, while over 12 lakhs are first timers. Their mandate will be crucial in deciding many seats.
“We are watching what the leaders are saying. The changes Rahul Gandhi made in his style has been noticed by everyone. He is talking big but he is yet to give a roadmap as to how will he achieve these things. Everyone is discussing him,” says Harsh Patel, an engineer.
He had everything going right for him till he made remark about ’aloo turning into gold’ in a rally, Patel said. Modi on the other hand is a good speaker and enhanced India’s appeal abroad.
Ask them about Hardik Patel’s appeal. Harsh says that Patidar leader started off well, but appears to have digressed from his path. He initially asked no reservation, then shifted stand towards asking for reservation.
His friend chips in. The situation has changed. Earlier, all family members voted for BJP, but this time at least Some will be looking at other options.
