Surat communities accuse BJP of ‘unfair’ ticket distribution

Voices of dissent in Surat BJP are becoming shriller with each passing day, ever since the party announced its candidates for the upcoming civic elections. Various groups and communities are organising demonstrations to express their dissatisfaction over the distribution of tickets.

Even as the party is holding marathon meetings to placate the disgruntled elements, Sindhi and Saurashtra community members are openly voicing their unhappiness over the 'low' representation of their people among the candidates chosen by the party for the polls.

Sindhi community is angry that its leader Goplani was not given ticket by the BJP high command. Goplani was elected as councillor from ward no. 12 (Adajan West) in the last municipal elections, with heavy margin. This year too the community was expecting that he would be given ticket, but it did not happen.

"There are about 75,000 voters from our community, who have always supported the party. We never raised any big demand. We just wanted ticket to Anil Goplani. We want someone to represent our community and raise our issues in the SMC and he (Anil) is a perfect candidate. It has come to our knowledge that misleading information were given to party leadership against Goplani to deny him ticket," said Deepchand Goplani, president of Punj Sindhi Association.

He added that a memorandum has been submitted to state party leadership, including CM Narendra Modi, demanding justice in the matter. However, the community still believes that the party will listen to their voices.

Another big problem for BJP has surfaced in Varachha, where party has good support. All the seats in Varachha and Katargam zones were won by BJP in the last elections. This year, there is resentment among workers over allotment of tickets among 'non-performers'. Communities like Lohana Samaj, Suthar Samaj and Prajapati Samaj are demanding representation to their communities.

"We want people to be selected from grassroots level and not those who are close to top leaders of the party. Many among those who have been selected are 'ineffective'. Leaders from our community are in Gandhinagar to chalk out the future course of action," Rakesh Parajapati, one of the community leaders, said.