Seldom does one see such an overwhelming consensus on theeve of polls as is evident in Gujarat. The issue that has an overpoweringinfluence on the electorate’s mind is Narendra Modi, the charismatic butcontroversial chief minister of the state. In fact, the issues germane to theGujarat elections begin and end with Modi.
For the past one decade, Modi’s politics has apparentlyspawned a cult which is distinctly different from the rest of India. Though heis 62, he is adored by the youth who regard him as an icon. Though his regimewitnessed large-scale violence on account of inefficiency in 2002, he isacclaimed as the most efficient administrator in the country. He evokes extremeemotions “ fierce loyalty among his friends and followers and debilitating fearand hatred among his foes. Beyond all these paradoxes, the mystique of Modi hasapparently mesmerised the electorate.
From Bharuch in central Gujarat to Dang in the south, aregion with large populations of tribals and minorities, people’s opinionsreflect a unique unanimity on development during 11 years of Modi’s rule.
“Of course, there is a semblance of governance even in theremotest part of the state,” says Ayub Pathan, a Congress activist and ahardcore loyalist of the party president’s political secretary Ahmed Patel. Hegrudgingly acknowledges that the state Congress leadership is no match forModi.
What is particularly striking is that the Modi cult haspermeated deep down even in the remote tribal pockets. The reasons are not farto seek. The state government has launched many welfare initiatives for tribalsto win them over. Apart from linking tribal areas to high-quality state andnational highways, special schemes were launched to strengthen villagecooperatives and encourage tribal women to produce and sell milk. In all overthe tribal belt, queues of women at collection centres are a testimony to thesuccess of the scheme. A random conversation with the tribals in Dang districtclearly showed a high level of contentment. “Our income has gone up ever sinceSaputara was developed as a tourist resort,” said a young tribal who runs a teastall in the hilly resort which boasts of five-star and three-star hotels.
Moreover, tribals show no bitterness over the developmentparadigm which can create disparities. In tribal regions of Gujarat,infrastructure development has given a fillip to people’s aspirations withoutcreating any gap between ‘us’ and ‘them’.
Similarly initiatives undertaken by the government on theagriculture front are seen as roaring success. Farmers are being educated aboutnew and modern agriculture practices to get the maximum yield. Soil tests havebeen carried out all over the state to help farmers choose the right crop forthe given variety of soil.
According to BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman, the chiefminister has devised a comprehensive political strategy to win over people andleft nothing to chance. “For the past five years, he has been consistentlyplugging the weak areas and getting feedbacks on his initiatives throughdifferent sources,”
Sitharaman told Governance Now in Rajkot. His comprehensivepolitical strategy has effectively neutralised the pockets of opposition in thestate.
In association with Governance Now
