Gujarat Assembly Polls: Rajkot key to BJP's Saurashtra battle

At the centre of the battle for politically significant Saurashtra is the electoral fight in Rajkot city, a stronghold of the ruling BJP.

Aware of the widespread anti-incumbency it is facing, the BJP has changed all the four sitting candidates from Rajkot city. While former chief minister and sitting Rajkot (West) MLA Vijay Rupani had bowed out of the contest, the BJP has denied tickets to sitting Rajkot (East) MLA and minister of state for transport Arvind Raiyani, Rajkot (South) MLA Govind Patel and Rajkot (Rural) MLA Lakhabhai Sagathiya. The entrenched leaders have been replaced by fresh faces and political rookies. The BJP has chosen Rajkot deputy mayor Darshita Shah to fight in the prestigious Rajkot (West) seat, former mayor Uday Kangad from Rajkot (East), industrialist Ramesh Tilara from Rajkot (South) and former MLA Bhanu Babariya from Rajkot (Rural).

The Legacy

The most keenly watched election is that of Rajkot (West) which has a legacy of sorts. In 2001, the seat was vacated by MLA Vajubhai Vala for Narendra Modi to contest his maiden election. Modi made his assembly debut from here. However, this time, BJP is facing anti-incumbency even in its stronghold. Inflation, the multiple forms for Goods and Services Tax (GST), multiple paper leaks and bad roads are weighing on people's minds. Pinakinbhai, a shopkeeper in Dharmendra bazar, says, "I have been a sworn BJP voter. But now, we all want change. Inflation has been pinching us and the business sentiment is anyway down after Covid-19." Dharmendra bazar shopkeepers have an emotional connect with Rupani, whose brothers still own shops in the main market area. The denial of ticket to Rupani has not gone down well with the area residents.

Pratapbhai, who belongs to a family of goldsmiths, cites GST levies on his business as a major pain point. "The market is down after Covid-19. On top of that, GST has been levied. All of us have to hire chartered accountants at Rs 5,000 per month to fill multiple forms," says Pratapbhai, who says he may not vote for BJP this time.

NOTA
The traditional BJP voter says he cannot vote for any other party. Pinakinbhai says, "This time, I plan to press the None of the Above (NOTA) button." Surprisingly, in the 2017 assembly elections, NOTA polled the third-highest votes. Congress faces a trust deficit. Abdulbhai, who works to set up wedding mandaps, says, "In 2017, people voted for the Congress but so many MLAs have quit the party and joined BJP. There is no certainty that your vote will not be wasted if you vote for the Congress. So, I have not decided who I will vote for."

AAP Factor
The Aam Aadmi Party has a limited appeal and is restricted to the lower socio-economic classes. Autorickshaw drivers openly support the party and say their work in Delhi has helped in increasing the monthly income. In Devpada area, the auto association has been protesting against the old autos being phased out. Sachinbhai, an auto driver, says, "We are supporting AAP. The association has openly said that BJP is working against our interests. So, we should support a suitable candidate of any other party. We have seen how AAP has supported auto drivers in Delhi and helped with periodic fare hikes. BJP has decided to replace our old autos with new ones. While old ones cost us Rs 1.5 lakh, these ones would be double the cost at Rs 3 lakh." However, the overwhelming support that is needed for a complete change in regime within the city is amiss.