Why BJP is forming government for the 6th time in Gujarat
It took almost 34 rallies from Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself but looks like it has paid off. The Gujarat Assembly elections results are out and the BJP is going to form the government once again in the western state for the sixth consecutive time, despite immense challenge thrown up by a re-energised Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi.
The figures are in and they show a comfortable lead by the BJP over the Congress, with roughly 104-107 for the saffron party and 73-75 for the Congress. Interestingly, the BJP chief minister in Gujarat Vijay Rupani, who was trailing in the beginning, has gained a strong lead as the numbers keep coming in, and is now ahead by almost 20,000 votes. However, Gujarat’s deputy CM Nitinbhai Patel is trailing by over 2,000 votes from Mahesana.
EC Official Trends for #GujaratElection2017: BJP ahead on 100 seats, Congress leading on 70.
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
BJP it seems has retained its hold on South and central Gujarat, but as predicted by India Today-Axis My India exit polls, it has lost substantial ground in Saurashtra, which saw strong Patidar agitation led by Hardik Patel. In Saurashtra, Congress is leading in 33 seats, and BJP on seats. Similarly, Alpesh Thakor on Congress ticket and Jignesh Mevani as an independent are leading in their respective constituencies, with Mevani leading by over 10,000 votes.
That said, BJP it’s evident has retained its vote share at 48.3 per cent, while the Congress has managed a share of 42.8 per cent. At the end of the day, the rural-urban divide ensured that the impact of key economic moves by the Modi government – demonetisation and GST – was much more in the rural swathes where Congress has edged ahead of the BJP, but the “Gujarat model” of rapid urbanisation is still not out of favour among the city and town-dwelling Gujaratis.
#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flashes victory sign as he arrives at the Parliament. #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/Q4PRNjMpoK
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
However, what’s absolutely important to remember is that the BJP’s last mile connectivity and booth-level hold, combined with the saffron party’s majoritarian project, have supplemented Modi’s vigorous rallies of often questionable ethics. Though Congress is leading in all four seats of the Koli dominated Gir-Somnath, Rahul Gandhi’s temple visits have not usurped Modi-Shah’s “original” claim on strong Hindu symbolism.
Congress leads on all four seats of Gir-Somnath ! Significant tred from Koli dominated areas. #Gujarat2017
— anshuman tiwari (@anshuman1tiwari) December 18, 2017
But let’s not forget that the Modi-Shah led BJP has had to pull out all stops to retain Gujarat this time, a state where even four months back there was practically no contest. This is also an indicator of the fierce Modi loyalty that Gujaratis feel, and the economic hardships inflicted by the Centre haven’t swayed enough Gujaratis to go against their favourite son of the soil, even though chinks in the armour have become visible.
Despite not meeting key strategist and BJP national president Amit Shah’s 150-mark, the BJP’s victory, after a particularly acerbic election campaign, is a relief to the saffron party. Losing Gujarat, the political citadel, was not going to be an option for the BJP under the Modi-Shah’s stewardship.