Why BJP is on sticky ground in PM Modi's hometown Vadnagar, Mehsana
In 2012, the BJP won five of seven Assembly seats in Gujarat election. It looks like a stiffer contest with Patidars simmering in the PM Modi's home district.
In Short
- BJP won five of seven seats in Mehsana in 2012.
- Mehsana was the epicentre of Patidar agitation in 2015.
- Mehsana has 28-30 per cent Patel voters.
At the conclusion of the first phase of polling in Gujarat Assembly election yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the BJP polled votes from all communities. The statement seemed an attempt by PM Modi to set tone for the second phase of voting that will take place on December 14.
PM Modi's home in Vadnagar in Mehsana district will vote in four days' time when polling will be held in 93 Gujarat Assembly constituencies. Vadnagar is part of Unjha Assembly constituency in Mehsana district (spelled as Mahesana by the Election Commission).
Mehsana sends seven members to the Gujarat Assembly. In 2012, the BJP won five while the Congress secured two of the seven seats in PM Modi's home district.
The BJP candidates won from Kheralu, Unjha, Visnagar, Becharaji and Mehsana constituencies and the Congress contestants were declared winner from reserved Kadi (SC) and Vijaypur seats.
But with Patel agitation in the backdrop, the ongoing Gujarat Assembly election does not seem to be an easy sailing for the BJP in PM Narendra Modi's hometown.
HARDIK PATEL AND RAHUL GANDHI
Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Hardik Patel has been campaigning against the BJP government saying that the Gujarat model of development is a bubble based on jugglery of figures. Hardik Patel has mobilised the Patel community of entire Gujarat.
Despite a series of sex CDs surfacing in public, Hardik Patel continues to be seen as a hero by the Patidar community. He has openly canvassed for the Congress stating that Rahul Gandhi-led party offers better chance of accommodating the quota demand of the Patels.
Soon-to-be Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally at Vadnagar launching a scathing attack on PM Narendra Modi. At Vadnagar, Rahul Gandhi said, "Prime Minister Modi is nervous...When he does not have anything to say, he speaks about himself...When nothing worked, Narendra Modi gave a full speech on Narendra Modi."
Both Hardik Patel and Rahul Gandhi got traction in Mehsana in their rallies. Mehsana was the epicentre of Patidar agitation in 2015. Violence was reported from Mehsana during clashes between Hardik Patel's supporters and the police.
PATELS AND MEHSANA
Mehsana is posing tough challenge to the BJP even on the account of demography. Mehsana district is said to have a 28-30 per cent Patel and about 9.5 per cent Muslim voters. This means that the BJP has to get better of almost 40 per cent of the voters, though not all Patidars are in Hardik Patel's camp.
The BJP has tried to contain the damage by fielding Patels in Mehsana district. Narayanbhai Patel is seeking a sixth-straight term from Unjha. Narayanbhai Patel is also the head of the Umiya Dham Temple, revered by the Patels. But, then he is being challenged by another Patidar - Congress's Ashaben Patel.
The BJP has heavyweight Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel contesting from Mehsana seat against Jivabhai Patel of the Congress. But, the contest seems a lot closer than the BJP would have wished.
The extent of anger among the Patel community and influence of Hardik Patel, who says Rahul Gandhi can offer better deal for Patidars in Gujarat, could be the deciding factor on all seven Assembly seats of Mehsana district.