Search: Look for:   Last 1 Month   Last 6 Months   All time

Who is winning the battle of Gujarat?

New Delhi, Wed, 12 Dec 2007 Deepak Kumar Mohanty

Who is winning the battle of Gujarat?

Dec 12: The Gujarat state assembly election 2007 is probably the most sought after topic of recent times amounting the high drama and suspense it involves. Both BJP and Congress came with the election strategy of development and governance but that faded between the communal tone of Hindutva and Sohrabuddin row.

Yet again the battle of Gujarat has termed an election of communal sentiments; leaders don’t hesitate to miss a chance to allure different communities by clutching the nerve of religious sentiments. Both Congress and BJP in their usual fashion went on for personal attack without respecting the essence of a democratic set up.

BJP has made a record hat-trick of winning the previous three elections in the state but with the differing views of exit poll survey in various television news channels this time around, it is certainly the most awaited election raising to a million dollar question of who is winning the battle of Gujarat?

There are several factors which strike actually all political analysts to term their views regarding the poll; whether for or against Narendra Modi. If Modi stands tall with the impression of development in the state then his outright views provoking communal sentiments and the only dominating ideology Hindutva culminating with the difference with his present party leaders further make it a bit difficult for BJP. At the same time the absence of a Modi like leader in Congress also leaves nothing to serve against Modi.

Factors for Modi:

Development – Under the BJP rule the state has certainly progressed towards development and that also the opposition admits though termed it as no special in Modi’s reign. Average Gujaratis who found good roads, electricity and better employment never find anything against Modi’s re-election.

Charisma – Modi has certainly charismatic image and with his Hindutva mascot, he is quite capable of using his oratory abilities in Gujarat that at least can convince thousands of Gujaratis alone eliminating all the speculations of 2002 and Sohrabuddin issue.

Decrease of corruption – During Narendra Modi’s reign the rate of corruption has decreased tremendously and this is also something that the people of Gujarat will consider after taking note of the development in the last five years of his reign.

No strong opposition leader – Congress that has started a mass campaign against Modi is not able to present an equally strong leader against Modi. The lack of leadership alternative stands as a negative electoral strategy as far as congress is concerned.

Factors against Modi:

Internal conflict in BJP – Politically there is strong internal opposition as leaders like Keshu Bhai Patel are against Modi’s autocratic nature. Several leaders feel alienated from power sharing despite being the part of ruling party. This further forced many of them to leave BJP and join Congress; this may act against Modi for not uniting his own party leaders.

Unity in Opposition – Contrary to BJP’s internal party politics the opposition in the state is united in bringing Modi down. Both Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have shared their seats in several constituencies and BSP’s entry may divide the vote bank as far as caste politics is concerned.

Result of 2004 election – BJP though had a landslide victory in 2002 assembly election but could only manage 14 seats against 12 of Congress in the year 2004. This can also be a worrying factor for BJP.

Hindutva an Ideology as well as Potent Weapon – The state’s communal politics starts with very Hindutva ideology and that’s been BJP’s aggressive political campaign and potent weapon in Gujarat and other parts of India. Being a supporter of RSS and VHP intensifying by Godhra carnage and the Modi’s justification of fake encounter in recent political campaign certainly take some space in common men’s mind, which may take it in other way and hamper his chances.

No doubt the present election is the most unconventional one in modern Gujarat but above all these mentioned facts and the anti-incumbency factor; what is more important is the wish of the people of Gujarat as they are the one who will be making a choice by their most and not what the rest of the nation believes.


LATEST IMAGES
Manohar Lal being presented with a memento
Manoj Tiwari BJP Relief meets the family members of late Ankit Sharma
Haryana CM Manohar Lal congratulate former Deputy PM Lal Krishna Advani on his 92nd birthday
King of Bhutan, the Bhutan Queen and Crown Prince meeting the PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi welcomes the King of Bhutan
Post comments:
Your Name (*) :
Your Email :
Your Phone :
Your Comment (*):
  Reload Image
 
 

Comments:

Naga

December 15, 2007 at 12:00 AM

The last paragraph is 100% acceptable. My suggestion is
1. There'll be no majority (even BJB leads)
2. No majority / Cong&Allies leads
3. Opposition wins majority

This is unlikely to be happen
1. Cong gets landslide victory
2. Modi gets majority

Pls appreciate / depreciate me after results.

Bhalchandra

December 13, 2007 at 12:00 AM

This is a travesty of secularism engineered by the Congress Party.
For the Congress Party secularism simply means appeasement of the Muslims.

harish

December 12, 2007 at 12:00 AM

yes definitely the person who has brought down curruption and has given good governance should be elected and people should look at not only modi but the party to bring modi to become chief minister


 

OTHER TOP STORIES


Excellent Hair Fall Treatment
Careers | Privacy Policy | Feedback | About Us | Contact Us | | Latest News
Copyright © 2015 NEWS TRACK India All rights reserved.