OBC stronghold, local candidates have an edge

Although Nikol does not have much history, like most parts of Ahmedabad city, it is a BJP bastion. While the Congress maintains that defeating the BJP is not a tall task, the selection of candidates is the key to getting the party elected to power.

Ranjitsinh Barad, a Congress corporator from Viraatnagar ward, says that two factors determine victory in the elections. One is caste and the other is the origin of the candidate. "Contrary to popular perception that Nikol is a Patel-dominated constituency, the reality is that OBCs dominate here. The current MLA Jagdish Panchal is a testimony," Barad told DNA. He also emphasises that a local face, who is accessible even at midnight, is the obvious choice. If parachute candidates are fielded, it would be difficult to get them her elected. "Previously, the Congress selected candidates from outside; they did not have a rapport with voters and did not even know the knitty gritties of the wards. If the trend is repeated, a BJP victory is guaranteed as its candidate is a one-time MLA and a familiar face," he said. He said that it was after more than two decades of hard work that he managed to get himself elected.

BJP is banking on the development done in the past few years. Sitting MLA and party candidate Jagdish Panchal said that in about a decade and a half, roads, overbridges and other development projects have materalised by the initiative of the state government, AMC, MLA and local corporators, which has tilted the balance in favour of the BJP.

While voters do not have problems with roads, as in most parts of the city, they are concerned about the poor quality of water being supplied by the AMC in certain localities. Lack of jobs and social security mechanism are also a matter of grave concern for them. A shopkeeper in Viraatnagar told DNA voters are disinterested in politics as it has nothing to do with their day-to-day lives and issues and it does not matter which party is in power.

POLITICIANS SPEAK

Congress must ensure that its official nominee is not hand-in-glove with the Opposition, as has been the case in the past, when our candidate joined the BJP soon after results were announced. It seems that the single most agenda of these Trojans is to ensure that Congress is defeated. This disheartens the cadres and it becomes very difficult for us to connect to the youth now, who knows only BJP as Congress has not been in power for long.

Ranjitsinh Barad, Congress corporator – AMC

Development is the single most agenda right from the time Narendra Modi was Chief Minister. We have constructed three overbridges and four overhead tanks. We have used the MLA's discretionary grant, corporators' discretionary grant in addition to funds earmarked by the state and central government. This constituency is not affected by Patidar, OBC or SC agitation. Patidars have felicitated me and assured that they are with the BJP. We, as a party, do not indulge in divisive politics like the Congress.

Jagdish Panchal, sitting MLA and BJP candidate

VOTERS SPEAK

Our colony receives water with bad odour, so we have to order drinking water or else there is a risk of falling sick. Safai workers do not come in the society to pick up garbage, so the common plot is dirty. Although we are from a minority community, there is no concern about our security.

Urmilaben Christi, housewife

Garbage collection, lack of it, is a major concern. Sometimes it piles up and cows come here to graze. They can hurt and become a risk for us. Often roads are dug up. Public bus service is inadequate and there is no timetable at the bus stops, so we do not know how long we will have to wait for the bus. Water gets logged in low-lying areas. Most of the people here work in private sector, where the wages are meagre. There should be some mechanism to ensure that there is a pay rise in these sectors as well.

Suresh Panchal, worker in a private shop

I am jobless now because of age. I cannot see properly so I do get work at diamond polishing factories. There is no social security mechanism so I have to rely on money from my son, who works in a private company. There is no mechanism to get treated free or at affordable costs. Our society has meetings with both Congress and BJP and then we decide whom to vote for. Whatever is the decision of the office bearers, everyone has to abide by it.

Mahendra Patel, former worker in a diamond polishing factory

My son does not get a good job even though he has done a job in designing. Companies pay Rs 3,000-4,000. How can one sustain with such a meagre pay? So we diversified our business from laundry and started selling other goods as well. But then we have three electricity metres, one for laundry, one for residence and one for the shop. So our expense on electricity is very high. Most of our earnings are eaten up by such expenses.

Chandrikaben Vachheda, shop keeper

AREAS:

Odhav

Viraatnagar

Gomtipur

Amraiwadi

Thakkarnagar

Nikol

2012 ELECTION RESULTS

Voter Turnout: 1,44,604 : 67.78%

Party: Candidate: Votes: Percentage

BJP: Jagdish Panchal: 88,886: 61.47

Congress: Narsinhbhai Ghori: 39,584: 27.37

Victory Margin: 49,302:

NIKOL

Total Voters: 2,31,378

Male: 1,25,264

Female: 1,06,110

Third Gender: 4

Total Booths: 234

MAJOR VOTER SEGMENTS

OBC: 80,000

Patel: 35,000

Muslims: 35,000

SC: 20,000

KEY ISSUES:

GARBAGE

WATER SUPPLY

WATERLOGGING

TRANSPORT

HEALTH

STRAY CATTLE