In panchayats, Patels may shove BJP into oblivion

RAJKOT: BJP could be pushed into political hibernation in panchayats if Patidars pay heed to the clarion call given by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener Hardik Patel at the August 25 Kranti rally in Ahmedabad.
Political analysts believe that if Patidars, who attended the Ahmedabad rally sans any allurements, vote against BJP en masse, it would signal the end of saffron era in many places given the slim difference in vote share of BJP and Congress in 2010 panchayat polls.
BJP's vote share in 2010 panchayat elections was marginally more than the Congress. The vote share difference between BJP and Congress in 208 taluka panchayat was just 9.07% in 2010 polls, while it was just 5.74% in 24 district panchayats, in favour of the saffron party.
If around around five lakh Patidars who attended the Ahmedabad rally respond to Hardik's call, the anti-BJP votes could swell to as much as 15 lakh if one considers at least three voters from each Patidar family.
Analysts also see a stark resemblance to the Patidars' reservation stir and their subsequent 'Defeat BJP' call and Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement that ultimately turned into an anti-Congress wave and toppled the UPA government.
"First, Patidars generated anti-government sentiments by raising the reservation demand. Now, the quota issue has taken a back seat and the community wants to oust BJP. This is much similar to the Anna Hazare movement,'' a political observer said.
The anger against the state government for not accepting the reservation demand has only been fuelled by the lathicharge on Patidars during the rally and subsequent arrests. Patels who took the blows are only eyeing a revenge through ballot.
"How can you expect me to vote for BJP when I was thrashed by police?," asked Lalit Mavani from Dhoraji, who was injured in the lathicharge at GMDC ground on August 25.
Naresh Hirpara, a cable operator in Jasdan, said, "We have been BJP supporters since years and my father was elected leader in Jasdan municipality in the past. But we will ensure BJP's defeat here."
Large number of Patidars whom TOI talked to across Saurashtra are convinced with the quota demand as well as the call to defeat BJP.
Ashok Khadatliya from Botad town said, "We were made to fall like terrorists. This behaviour shows the arrogance of the party."