After several years, Muslim-dominated areas witness surge of saffron party workers promising development
The moment Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s name was announced from the Vadodara Lok Sabha constituency, party workers doubled the pace of promotional campaign for the upcoming election.
Incidentally, Modi is yet to visit Vadodara. Thus, the workers are super busy to lay the foundation for an easy victory from the constituency. The canvassing went off pretty well until they entered the Muslim-dominated areas like Kamatipura, Fatehpura, Yakutpura and Tandalja.
It was in these areas where the BJP workers came across strong criticism and complaints about lack of development. For starters, the areas lack basic civic amenities like decent roads and efficient sewage lines, and all they have got till date is nothing but promises. “Don’t worry. Vote for BJP, vote for development,” was the response given to them by party workers on being confronted about civic issues.
“It is a rare sight to see a BJP leader or worker visit our area. Now, with barely a month to go for the Lok Sabha election, they are not only visiting but pouring in to get our votes. However, what we heard earlier was that they don’t need our votes,” said Zuber Goplani, a resident of Ajwa Road.
“While Vadodara has received a few flyovers and ring roads, minority areas are yet to receive decent roads and sewage lines,” he added.
The Vadodara constituency has nearly 15 lakh voters, including eight per cent minority votes. To create a record by setting the highest victory margin for Modi, it is imperative for the BJP to woo Muslim voters. And, to take on the might of Modi, Congress has fielded Madhusudan Mistry against him.
“While Muslims are seen as non-BJP voters, the Congress might benefit from it. Being said that, BJP’s strategy to have a minority cell to woo Muslim voters, there is a possibility that a marginal portion might vote for them. But Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is another hurdle that might affect the victory margin,” said one of the Muslim professors at MS University of Baroda.
However, the BJP is confident of setting a “world record” in terms of victory margin. Former Vadodara mayor Balkrishna Shukla — who won the last election by a margin of 1.36 lakh votes — said he sees no problem for the BJP.
“We have completed basic round of canvassing and received warm response, including Muslim voters. Muslims have been voting for the BJP and the best example is the corporation election, where no minority members contested,” he said.
On the other hand, Congress is trying hard to retain Muslim votes and dent BJP’s chances. “Vadodara used to be in the list of top ten cities of India. But now, it stands at 252. What kind of development Modi has done here? Many areas — especially minority dominated areas — lie in utter neglect. We have met minority members and promised to work for them if they help bring Congress in power,” said Congress city president Narendra Rawat.
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