Patidars may give a tough fight to BJP in Ghatlodia

Despite being a BJP bastion and the constituency of former Gujarat chief minister and education minister Anandiben Patel, residents of Ghatlodia have number of issues to list. The list doesn't end only at education or traffic woes. The people of the constituency now fear stepping out of their house due to rising incidentys of crimes here. 

Ghatlodia had become a high-profile constituency after the entry of powerful minister Anandiben Patel during previous elections against Ramesh Dudhwala of Congress, who enjoyed support among Kadva Patel community. This seat has also been carved out from Sarkhej. For the record, Ghatlodia municipality was with BJP for many years.

A Patel-dominated area, Ghatlodia, in 2015, witnessed a lot of public property damage due to Patidar agitation. Furniture worth Rs 25 lakh at the ward office/civic centre got damaged. If sources are to be believed, Patidars here may pose threat to the BJP this year.

However, the BJP has yet again brought a known face here this time. AUDA chairman and Anandiben's confidante Bhupendra Patel has been pitched for the seat to 'control any damage'.

Ramesh Patel of Congress, who was defeated by Anandiben Patel by 110395 votes, cites increase cases of crime that are bothering the Ghatlodia residents. He said, "Incidents such as chain snatching and burglary are steadily increasing in the area."

Interestingly, the political scenario has further taken a twist. The parents whose kids are studying in local schools are constantly harassed by school mafias. Now, they have decided to enter politics. Parents of Tripada International School are up against the ruling party, for encouraging private schools and not implementing the fee regulation bill. A parent, Amit Panchal, has filed nomination from Ghatlodia constituency. Whether they will be able to have an impact or not is something to be looked out for.

QUOTES OF MLA AND RIVAL:

BJP: Bhupendra Patel, candidate for 2017

Congress: Ramesh Patel, defeated in 2012

The two major issues in Ghatlodia today are traffic congestion, due to BRTS lane at Sattadhar and Bhuyangdev crossroads, and cleanliness. Despite paying tax to corporation, safai workers don't come. Societies have roped in private people to remove their garbage.

Crime rate is increasing in Ghatlodia. Despite being Anandiben's constituency, we do not have any government school. All the roads were washed away but due to elections, they have repaired it overnight.

TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERS: 3,19,684

Male: 164547

Female: 155137

CASTE-WISE VOTERS:

Muslims

Christians

Vaniya

Patels

Brahman

Dalit
(all figures are approx)

COMMUNITYWISE VOTERS

Patels 1,05,000

OBC 70,000

Jains 18,000

SC/ ST 9,000

Rabari 27,000

Brahmin 40,000

Non-Gujratis: 20,000

VOTER TURNOUT IN PAST THREE ELECTIONS:

In 2012, BJP's Anandiben Patel defeated Congress' Ramesh Patel by 110395 votes.

KEY ISSUES:

CRIME RATE INCREASING

NO GOVERNMENT SCHOOL

CLEANILESS

EDUCATION

WHAT LOCALS SAY

Bharat Patel, Businessman

The government charges tax from each and every citizen, but does not give anything in return. During monsoon, Ghatlodia residents face a lot of health issues due to water logging and blockages in the gutter. The work of cleaning the gutter is done only on the main roads, and not the interiors where maximum residents live. When their supervisors come for inspection, they only see the outer roads and go away. Another issue is that despite being such a huge area, there is no community hall or a sports sankul for our kids.

Amit Panchal, independent candidate this year

There are many properties in Ghatlodia that come under TP scheme but facilities are not being provided. There are only a handful of societies who get the Narmada water supply. The local government schools lack infrastructure and do not have adequate administrative staff.

Bipin Patel, former BJP councillor

Ghatlodia has witnessed a lot of development over the past few years. Eight pumping stations and two major overhead water tanks have been constructed. There is no potholes in Ghatlodia.

Dharmesh Patel, businessman

I am fed up with the education system in Gujarat. We are forced to put our children in private schools as government schools are not up to the mark. The state government fails to do anything. The fee regulation bill was just a lollypop by the government as it came into force in this April. But nothing has been implemented.