Gujjus from Mumbai join the poll blitz in Gujarat in a big way
All major parties, including the Congress, the BJP and the relatively new entrant NCP, are seen wooing the Mumbai’s business community.
By Maulik Vyas, TNN |
MUMBAI: Gujaratis in Mumbai these days are in great demand. Thanks to the approaching assembly election in the neighbouring state, all major parties, including the Congress, the BJP and the relatively new entrant NCP, are seen wooing the Mumbai’s business community.
Even as the competition to win over Gujjus — as they are fondly called — in the financial capital hots up, the BJP appears to have an advantage over others. A large number of Gujaratis are seen backing the saffron party in the forthcoming election. Mumbai’s major Gujarati merchants and industrialists have traditionally been BJP supporters.
This time, former MP Kirit Somaiya is BJP’s election observer for Gujarat. Mr Somaiya, other than attacking his recent bete noire Sharad Pawar on wheat import issue, is busy shuttling between Ahmedabad and Mumbai to organise support for the party.
Helping him is a corporator and the BMC’s health committee’s former chairman, Mangal Bhanushali. He is out mobilising at least 2,000 karyakartas from Mumbai to leave for Gujarat to actively participate in election campaign in their respective areas.
Last Monday, the Grain, Rice and Oilseed Merchant Association (GROMA) at its meeting in Navi Mumbai decided to side with the BJP and campaign for the party. At least 250 merchants are expected to lead a group of some 40-50 people each to campaign for the Narendra Modi government in their hometowns. The traders want Mr Modi to continue as CM since “he has helped the trading community by taking various steps such as scrapping of octroi and lowering of taxes”.
On the other side of spectrum, Congress MLA from Kandivali Pradyumn Mehta claimed support of a majority Gujaratis from Mumbai. He told ET that the party has a strong team of one thousand workers who are set to leave Mumbai to take part in active electioneering.
Along with a large contingent of Gujarati leaders comprising Mumbai Congress general secretary Bharat Parekh, Dharmesh Vyas, Upendra Doshi, Javed Shrof, Yogesh Dand, Amin Patel and Chandrakant Ghoshaliya, the Congress also has despatched a team of leaders like Kripasankar Singh and Sanjay Nirupam, a known Bihari, from Mumbai to Gujarat.
The Congress is being supported by the NCP, though relatively faceless in Gujarat. The NCP is contesting nine seats with civil aviation minister Praful Patel leading the command. NCP’s general secretary and spokesman Hemraj Shah said the party is bringing in Mumbai-based Gujaratis to canvass support for its candidate back in Gujarat. Like other two parties, it’s planning to mobilise foot-soldiers to help in campaigning.
Even as the competition to win over Gujjus — as they are fondly called — in the financial capital hots up, the BJP appears to have an advantage over others. A large number of Gujaratis are seen backing the saffron party in the forthcoming election. Mumbai’s major Gujarati merchants and industrialists have traditionally been BJP supporters.
This time, former MP Kirit Somaiya is BJP’s election observer for Gujarat. Mr Somaiya, other than attacking his recent bete noire Sharad Pawar on wheat import issue, is busy shuttling between Ahmedabad and Mumbai to organise support for the party.
Helping him is a corporator and the BMC’s health committee’s former chairman, Mangal Bhanushali. He is out mobilising at least 2,000 karyakartas from Mumbai to leave for Gujarat to actively participate in election campaign in their respective areas.
Last Monday, the Grain, Rice and Oilseed Merchant Association (GROMA) at its meeting in Navi Mumbai decided to side with the BJP and campaign for the party. At least 250 merchants are expected to lead a group of some 40-50 people each to campaign for the Narendra Modi government in their hometowns. The traders want Mr Modi to continue as CM since “he has helped the trading community by taking various steps such as scrapping of octroi and lowering of taxes”.
On the other side of spectrum, Congress MLA from Kandivali Pradyumn Mehta claimed support of a majority Gujaratis from Mumbai. He told ET that the party has a strong team of one thousand workers who are set to leave Mumbai to take part in active electioneering.
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Along with a large contingent of Gujarati leaders comprising Mumbai Congress general secretary Bharat Parekh, Dharmesh Vyas, Upendra Doshi, Javed Shrof, Yogesh Dand, Amin Patel and Chandrakant Ghoshaliya, the Congress also has despatched a team of leaders like Kripasankar Singh and Sanjay Nirupam, a known Bihari, from Mumbai to Gujarat.
The Congress is being supported by the NCP, though relatively faceless in Gujarat. The NCP is contesting nine seats with civil aviation minister Praful Patel leading the command. NCP’s general secretary and spokesman Hemraj Shah said the party is bringing in Mumbai-based Gujaratis to canvass support for its candidate back in Gujarat. Like other two parties, it’s planning to mobilise foot-soldiers to help in campaigning.
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