Caste overtakes development, becomes buzzword in Gujarat civic polls

GANDHINAGAR: Overtaking development, caste has become the new buzzword for the local body elections in Gujarat. And at a time when these elections are projected as the litmus test for her leadership, this is not a good news for the chief minister Anandiben Patel, who is desperately trying to garner support for her party across the state almost single-handedly.

Members from both the ruling and opposition parties admitted behind the veil of anonymity that caste factor, which in any case has always been a significant element, has assumed much more relevance in this election in the state in the wake of Patidar movement, thereby pushing the "development agenda" of BJP largely out of discussion.

"The Patidar agitation has been a great energizer for us this time around and has considerably added to the traditional voter base of Congress," a senior Congress functionary from Central Gujarat said. "We had people coming to us on their own and taking various responsibilities for election. Such enthusiasm was absent among our voters for a very long time," he added.

On its part, BJP too is feeling the shift and workers do not shy away from discussing caste anymore. "While the upper caste will stay with BJP, there will be some serious erosion in the Patel votes with the young Patel voters leaning to Congress," observed a BJP member adding that the tilt of the OBC votes will play a determining role in these elections.

"But caste factor is back in the fore front of state politics like in the days of eighties, and there is no way one can deny this anymore," he added.

Observers also feel that the way entire Patel agitation has been handled by the state administration, the conflict between the community and the government has only deepened in the state.

The arrest of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel under sedition charges and his detention has been fuelling the resentment of the community on one hand and the allegation of names of Patidar voters being deleted from the list during the first phase of election has only added to it.