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Curtain falls on battleground Gujarat

The curtain is finally scheduled to fall upon the high-intensity Gujarat elections. Slated, so forth, to be the bastion of BJP, the western state in the last few months has witnessed a massive turnaround. BJP has held on to the reigns for the last 19 years. While commendable, it has infused strong wave of forthcoming anti-incumbency, the pedestal upon which the Congress has made significant inroads. A survey in August had predicted that 59 per cent of the voters were confident of casting in favour for the lotus party; now though, the Congress and BJP are both tied at the neck at 43 per cent each. The first round of polling begins today and the second phase is scheduled for December 14. The possibility of a change of fortune has been evident in the nature of the BJP's aggressive campaigning across the state. The Prime Minister himself has ensured that he, yet again, emerges as the messiah for the people, assuring them that achhe din are here to stay. Narendra Modi had been the Chief Minister of the state for close to 12 years, and it was this very premise that had ushered in his massive success in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The Gujarat model of development, understood by most across the country as the beacon of hope, the precursor to a new beginning, is now under serious threat. Under Modi's government, Gujarat had witnessed the fastest pace of development, in comparison to the rest of India, as the per capita income had almost quadrupled. However, the Gujaratis now, have grown uncertain of the BJP, though they still remain hesitant towards the Congress too. The farmers are battling the absence of fair pricing, the state is grappling an acute shortage of employment and now it seems that the fruits of development were not meant for everyone's platter. Demonetisation and GST, while bold policy moves, did not match the sensibilities of the population who felt paralysed at the offset of these decisions. Demonetisation in November last year had defunctionalized 86 per cent of the currency in the economy. The harrowed memories of standing in endless queues with ATMs rarely lending out cash and banks blocked at a standstill, still haunt the ordinary man. The decision to implement GST in July, again jolted the medium and small enterprises, planting a seed of doubt in the ordinary man's mind regarding the true efficacy of the Gujarat model. Was it indeed holistic, or did it augur well only for the wealthy industrialists? Gujarat in the recent past has witnessed numerous instances of farmers' agitations, discontent among the diamond merchants and an outbreak of violence against the Dalits. The prevailing consciousness now seems to emphasise on the government's apathy towards the poorer classes and the lower castes. The BJP has been on an enviable winning streak across the country with well over the majority of states in its kitty. Yet, its home turf now seems to be the impediment. An election that would have been comfortably won over by the lotus party, owing to their vast majority, comfortable position at the Centre and a history of ruling the state is now in jeopardy. Though the BJP may ultimately emerge victorious from this battle which has taken on the ugliest colours, its margin is surely going to be evidently reduced.
The Gujarat election has been dramatic, not only for the unprecedented twist of outcomes but also because of the events that have unfolded through the campaign trail. A direct jibe of words, personal attacks and use of derogatory language to pull down one another's opponent have been the highlighting features, receiving more prominence than policies or questions of social upliftment. The Congress has spoken of assisting the lower castes only in a bid to rope in the Patidar agitation led by Hardik Patel. Patel's assimilation with the Congress threatens the BJP. The Patels and Patidars form a strong consolidation of a unified vote bank that is expected to caste in one direction, the direction that protects their cast. The Gujarat election has shown us, inadvertently, how relevant caste continues to be in our social configuration. With a parallel battle for reservations and seats, the Congress has tapped into this loophole, hoping to gain currency from the sections that are the most aggrieved with the BJP. The upper-castes can move aside, the lower castes hold the key, this time. Nevertheless, though Gujarat has grown apathetic of the BJP, Modi continues to be held in high regard. Therefore, for damage control and to uphold the principles of integrity, the Congress was quick to dismiss Mani Shankar Aiyer for his unrequired jibe towards the Prime Minister. The current Chief Minister hasn't gained repute even remotely close to what Modi holds among the masses. Despite his idiosyncrasies, his booming voice and confident promises still stir the ordinary citizen. Aiyer's harsh comment on Modi's orientation would not have augured well for the Congress' fortune. Set to govern the party in his own way, Rahul was quick to admonish Aiyer, yet again reflecting the new maturity that Rahul seems to have gained in this election trail. The Congress has fired back strongly during this Gujarat election that is being closely watched by most across the country. After a winning track record across elections, neither did Modi nor did Amit Shah expect a jolt waiting in their backyard.
The few factors that are sure to influence the voting would be the prevalent farmers' distress, lack of employment for the youth of the state, atrocities against the lower-castes and a dissatisfaction towards the big policy moves of demonetization and GST. While all of this works against the BJP, the undeterred fact that works towards their favour is still the Modi magic along with the loss of people's confidence towards the UPA government. Modi had delivered as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and the state still holds him in high regard. However, he is now the Prime Minister and above the ranks of the party. That Gujarat is relevant and a stepping stone for the 2019 Lok Sabha election was evident from how the most important leaders of our country had huddled to the state to garner the support of its residents. Anti-incumbency is a strong sentiment that is bound to emerge at any point of time and indeed should emerge in a democracy with multiple parties. India isn't North Korea where a democratic republic will be ruled by only one party for decades on an end. It would reductive to the very framework that binds a democracy. The battle between the BJP and the Congress in Gujarat has spelt out both positive and negative for our functioning democracy. On one hand, we have seen the use of unfortunate language to bring down the opponent, scathing remarks and personal attacks. On the other hand, we have seen the emergence of a renewed Congress with a refreshed Rahul at the forefront who looks more energized than before. The BJP winning endlessly reduces the dynamicity of democratic politics. A strong opposition is an essential element in the palate of electoral voting. With 2019 less than 13 months away, the Congress must not subdue its vigour any longer. It must further capitalise upon all the different aggrieved sentiments emerging from across the country to battle the BJP for the Centre. This will not only provide the citizens with the choice to opt for a different leader but also strengthen the Centre who will be in the fear of losing its continued dominance.
Let the games begin.
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