Given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity and Amit Shah's firm grip on Gujarat, coupled with the inability of Congress to build a counter narrative against the Rupani-led government, the odds stand in the favour of BJP, especially in the urban pockets.
Raising the stakes to 150 plus seats, Shah has ensured that nobody questions Bharatiya Janata Party's resounding comeback for the fifth term in Gujarat. The only discussion doing the rounds now is whether the party will be able to break the 149 seats-record of Madhav Singh Solanki-led Congress government in 1985.
Given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popularity and Amit Shah's firm grip on Gujarat, coupled with the inability of Congress to build a counter narrative against the Rupani-led government, the odds stand in the favour of BJP, especially in the urban pockets.
The middle class and lower middle class in the urban pockets of the state have no qualms against the Rupani-led government, working on the belief that it is Modi who drives the politics in Gujarat.
Mehul Kumar, an Uber driver in his 20s, says: "Modi will elevate Gujarat to the status of Delhi. The GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) near Gandhinagar is going to create a corporate hub that will take Gujarat to new heights, providing jobs to people like me. Affordable housing, which has enabled commoners to own a two-bedroom house for just Rs 6 lakh, is another great step. The only hiccup is the condition of roads, but that is understandable given the torrential rains this time."
The initial anger over demonetization also seems to have dissipated considerably. Vikram Parmar, a construction labourer, points out the same referring to Shramik Annapurna Yojna. "If a government gives me a full good meal for Rs 10, why won't I choose Modi?"
Besides, the BJP's Good Governance department has a host of other initiatives to showcase, which includes Seva Setu Scheme to deliver services to the citizen's doorstep, Yuva Swavlamban Yojna to share 50 per cent expense on the education of non-reserved youth, Credit Scheme for farmers at one per cent interest, and Ujjawala Yojna that has generated a lot of positivity for BJP especially in the Adivasi belt.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani knows the importance of Modi-Shah factor in Gujarat and says he will continue to take guidance from Modi and Shah. "Is taking guidance from Modi and Shah a crime? Both are seniors of the party and have taken Gujarat to unassailable heights. They have left a legacy here."
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