Gujarat polls: How CM Rupani faces tough fight in Rajkot (W)

Rajkot: Rajkot (West) which is also known as Rajkot 69, considered the bastion of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Saurashtra is witnessing a rigorous campaign of senior party leaders and union ministers this time.

Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani has been re-nominated from the seat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Nirmala Sitharaman, both the national and state leadership, and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states—is also coming here in the round of poll campaign and asking to "vote for Lotus".

Moreover, Anjali Rupani,a retired school teacher and the wife of chief minister of the state is also visiting door-to-door of every societies of Rajkot-II (earlier Rajkot-West was known as) to seek people's support.

Former Gujarat cabinet minister Vajubhai Vala, now the governor of Karnataka won here seven times for the BJP, from 195-2012. However, he vacated the assembly seat in 2001 for Narendra Modi after he was nominated chief minister.

But, why the party is facing a tough challence for BJP's oldest fortresses?

Among total 2 lakh 75,000 voters, 50,000 voters belong to Patidar community, 42,000 voters are Brahmin and rest are Baniyas (Traders)—considered as BJP's trusted voters, but with the recent alliance among Congress and prominent Patel face Hardik Patel, the current situation has become challenging for the incumbent party. Out of power in the state of Gujarat for over two decades, playing the caste formula, the Congress has changed its poll formula and has approached alliances with four Dalit, Tribe and Patel leaders—Alpesh Thakor, Jignesh Mevani, Chhotu Vasava and Harik Patel in this Assembly polls.

Congress has also brought richest and one of the most influential Gujarati MLA, Indranil Rajyaguru in against CM Vijay Rupani from Rajkot (West) this time. In the last Assembly Elections of Gujarat Rajyaguru contested from Rajkot (East), also known as Rajkot 68 and won. This time he declared as Rs. 141 crore. While Rupani visit his constituency in every weekend, Rajyaguru has been making an effort to build his strong hold by nurturing the constituency for more than a year now.

Congress candidate Rajyaguru is also a prominent Brahmin face and playing the caste card, the party is trying to divert 10-15 per cent votes from BJP's core vote bank. Sources said, Congress is aiming 13,000 Brahmin votes this time for a win-win margin. In the last assembly elections in 2012 Rupani won with 25,000 vote margin.

In Rajkot (West) more that 66 per cent are traders of both small scale and jewelers. While talking to locals, it was learnt that 40 per cent traders are opposing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), while 37 per cent are supporting them.

Earlier in Rajkot there was a contradiction among two Patel communities, Karwa and Lewa. However, reportedly both the communities have extended support to Hardik Patel in the support of reservation. Though there were media reports over Patel's support to BJP here, but ' Khodal Dham' and 'Umiya Dham'— two prime Patel organisations have refused to support any political party.

The people of the four assembly constituencies of Rajkot are going to vote in the first phase— scheduled on December 9. Meanwhile, both the parties have started door-to-door "Juth Sabha" in every residential society, where they are holding meetings with small groups of people.

Total 89 constituencies are going to vote in the first phase and rest will vote the second and the last phase, scheduled on December 14. The result will be out on December 18 along with Himachal Pradesh.