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Ahmedabad: Just days before the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the Gujarat assembly elections, tragedy struck on October 30, in Gujarat’s newly formed (2013) Morbi district, in which a suspension bridge on Machhu river (zulto pul) collapsed and 135 people died.
But Morbi is not the only incident BJP should worry about in the December polls, there are some major issues that can go against the ruling party which has been in power for the last 27 years. Besides
This happened when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a three days tour to Gujarat. This was his last tour before elections were announced. This incident is very much disturbing for any common man, but what may disturb the ruling party more is the timing of the tragic incident.
The suspension bridge which was built by then Maharaja in the 1880s was haphazardly renovated and hastily inaugurated. According to local media reports the incident clearly proved a nexus between the company which was given the contract for renovation, the operation of the bridge and the local authorities which was the main and perhaps the only attraction of the city.
No politician’s name is officially coming out but no need for that because everybody knows how ‘sarkari kamkaj’ is done. The sad part is Gujarat is not an exception.
On Sunday the collapse left the entire Saurashtra and Gujarat mourning, but on Monday the Prime Minister followed his scheduled programs. During his speech at Kevadiya-Statue of Unity, he became emotional, but instead, his tears made people notice his attire. He visited the place on the third day of the incident. His visit also invited criticism as the day before his visit the local authority started repairing and painting work of the local hospital.
The opposition Congress slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and termed this as ‘eventbazi’. The name of the owner of the company was also missing from the FIR. All this disturbed not only common citizens but also supporters of BJP too. Yes, there are many who say Modi shu kare? (What Modi will do?), but the state BJP got no sympathy from people.
The major section of young voters is very much disappointed by the poor quality of education, especially higher education. There was a time when Gujaratis were less into jobs and more into business. But now the youth today is more career oriented and prefers corporate jobs. But the state offers very limited opportunities as the IT sector and some other key industrial sectors are not having their production units in Gujarat.
Besides this, government recruitment is also not happening. Outsourcing of maximum government services is the key reason behind it. Frequent paper leaks and postponement of government recruitment exams have dashed the hopes of youth who work hard to get government jobs. Keeping this in mind the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress offer better education and recruitment plus old pension systems.
Another major factor is the more than two-decade long anti-incumbency. This issue always affects the ruling party, but in Gujarat BJP is in power for a long period of time. People believe that inflation, unemployment and basic issues concerning day-to-day life have remained unresolved even after so many years and one of the major reasons for this is corruption, lack of willingness and ministers also lack administrative skills.
Gujarat was earlier known for its good roads. Congress Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot himself once accepted that there was a time when people felt relieved when they left Rajasthan border and entered Gujarat. But in the last five to six years, the state government and municipal corporations have not been able to construct good roads or maintain the old roads.
Complaints of pothole-ridden roads are common from all over the state. Though the situation is the same in many other states, Gujarat is considered as a model for development, and the poor condition of basic facilities like roads, water, basic infrastructure, and transport invites more criticism. Other than these issues of Maldhari community, government’s failure to deal with Lumpy virus, farmers issues also will play a major role.
Gujarat is a dry state but liquor is available everywhere. The nexus between bootleggers, police department and politicians are quite known. Last July, 75 people lost their lives due to Latthakand in Botad and nearby areas. During that time also the ruling party’s response was considered to be very poor.
One more issue that has affected the sentiments of people especially minority groups and liberals is remission of the sentence of Bilkis Bano case convicts. Though BJPs Hindutva works in Gujarat but in Bilkis Bano case people are not happy with the decision. It may appeal positively to one section of majority but not to all.
Unfortunately, Congress did not show much aggression on this issue, otherwise, this could damage BJP’s slogan ‘sabka sath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas’. The minority group which has started believing in BJP’s inclusive development stories also got disappointed.
The AAP and the Congress have offered free electricity (up to 300 units) and 24 hours electricity. This can attract many because Gujarat has one of the highest electricity tariffs in the country. People are looking forward to offers from the AAP and the Congress of giving 300 units free per month. Commercial electricity tariff in Gujarat is Rs 7.50 per unit while in Maharashtra and Telangana it is Rs 4 per unit. The BJP will also have to face dissatisfaction among the farmers and landowners whose lands are being acquired for various government projects.
Political analyst from Gujarat, Dilip Gohil told this reporter that this time poor condition of health, education have emerged as the main issues. Other than this Gujarat has different kinds of unemployment. Those parents who are spending lakhs Rupees on education and coaching are very much frustrated because their children are not getting adequate opportunities.
Same way they realised that healthcare is in a very poor state and they are totally dependent on private facilities. Because of demonetisation, MSME badly affected and inflation adding more to their problems. He said that the ruling party is not ready to believe but this time high prices will be a big issue. AAP and Congress offered some relief and people will think that if they vote they will reduce their monthly expenses by at least 2000 to 3000.
He also pointed out that in 2012 people voted for BJP because they wanted to see Narendra Modi and Gujarat at national level. In 2017 agitation dominated, so core issues affecting the common public were not raised by the opposition. This time the AAP has started their campaign by promising best government schools and clinics. After the Corona pandemic many parents forced to enrol their children in government schools and many wished to, they may turn their back on the BJP, he added.
Another analyst Darshan Desai told this reporter that this time the elections may be tough for BJP in the last 30 years. Bhupendra Patel government faced as many as 32 agitations of varying intensity largely from the government staff fighting against outsourcing of jobs and work as well as the contract system.
Similarly, the police force also resorted to agitational measures. Thousands of police families came out on the streets demanding a hike in their basic grade pay. But he also maintained that PM Modi is a great finisher like Indian cricketer MS Dhoni. He understands that he can only turn the tide.
Gujarat elections are declared in two phases. voting on December 1 and December 5 and results will be out on December 8. All parties are declaring their candidates one by one. BJP declared the first list with 160 candidates after in depth research and tried to balance all aspects. BJP has two trump cards. One is the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
His undoubtably great contribution in creating a better image of the state during his CMship. Currently, also two major investment projects from Maharashtra have been shifted to Gujarat. Another one is the weak opposition. Congress failed as opposition in the last five years. They also lost some of their stalwarts. Almost 20 MLAs have left the party and joined BJP. The AAP is a new entrant in Gujarat.
It all depends upon Modi’s one appeal to Gujjus which can create magic, but at the end of the day it’s democracy and what’s in the mind of Janta Janardhan that no one knows and BJP’s strategy makers know it well.
