Over-confidence sometimes is the cause of one’s fall. Perhaps, this was the reason for the BJP biting the dust in Junagadh parliamentary constituency in 2004.
Over-confidence sometimes is the cause of one’s fall. Perhaps, this was the reason for the BJP biting the dust in Junagadh parliamentary constituency during the 2004 elections. This seat was held for 20 long years by the BJP’s Bhavna Chikhalia, but Congress leader Jasu Barad defeated her in 2004 despite being given the party ticket barely a fortnight before the poll.
The Congress has again fielded Jasu Barad despite strong opposition by local leaders. Giving him a tough fight this time will be Dinu Solanki, the two-time BJP MLA from Kodinar. This strong leader of Kodinar is a close relative of state finance minister
Vajubhai Vala.
This constituency is dominated by Koli and Patel communities. Delimitation has not affected the BJP’s voter base much. Six assembly segments out of seven are held by the BJP. Only Talala assembly segment is held by the Congress’s Bhagwan Barad, brother of Jasu Barad. Junagdh Municipal Corporation and Junagadh district panchayat are also controlled by the BJP.
For the BJP, winning this seat is a matter of prestige because in the previous election, Jasu Barad had won the seat with a margin of over 40,000 votes, defeating its candidate Bhavna Chikhalia. Internal rift in the Congress can come as a blessing for the BJP. Almost all local Congress leaders seem to be ranged against Jasu Barad.
Former MLAs of the Junagadh region and strong Congress leaders, Chandrika Chudasama, Punja Vansh, Bhikha Joshi, Jasa Barad and Congress district president Jetha Jora had opposed the candidature of Jasu Barad, the reasons being his introvert nature and his strict image among public and party workers. It is said that he does not entertain local leaders and issues of the region, but operates through his own men.
Besides, he is alleged to have worked against Congress MLAs of the Junagadh district during the last assembly polls, leading to their defeat. Mangrol MLA Chandrika Chudasama, Una MLA Punja Vansh, Somnath MLA Jasa Barad and Malia MLA Bhikha Joshi were all defeated in the 2007 assembly elections.
In spite of this, a Jasu Barad-baiter, former MLA Jasa Barad said, “Though we have reservations over the candidature of Jasu Barad, Junagadh is a stronghold of the party in Saurashtra.”
Jasu Barad’s candidature could be beneficial for the BJP. “The candidature of Jasu Barad will automatically help the BJP, because of infighting in the Congress,” said Bharat Gajipara, a local BJP leader.
However, a Congress loyalist said Jasu Barad depended on his own team of workers who can cope with the situation. A Barad loyalist said on the condition of anonymity, “Jasu Barad has a strong loyal worker base and they are enough to work at the ground level. He has a unique style of working and his public contact is enough to ensure his victory.” He added, “Barad is an Ahir leader and he has won in the past even though Koli and Patel communities are the dominant ones.”
However, Suryakant Acharya, a BJP member of Rajya Sabha, said that Jasu won the last election by using money and muscle power.
Decoding delimitation
Five of the seven assembly segments that were part of Junagadh Lok Sabha constituency before delimitation have been retained in the constituency after the delimitation. They are: Junagadh, Visavadar, Somnath, Talala and Una. While Keshod has been made part of Porbanadar Lok Sabha seat, Maliya has ceased to exist. On the other hand, Mangrol and Kodinar have been made part of Junagadh.
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