Voices of Gujarat: ‘Confused Over GST’, ‘Won’t Vote for Anybody’

A retailer, an educator, and a fisherman talk about what will define the election for them this time.

Here’s what residents of Gujarat have to say about the elections.

(Photo: The Quint)

‘Looking For a Candidate Who Sees Beyond Economic Growth’: 46-Year-Old Educator

46-year-old educator Sakina Bharmal wants to vote for a candidate who looks beyond economic growth as an indicator of development.

I’ll vote for a candidate who is not just looking at infrastructure and development. That’s what most candidates look for. People forget to take care of the humans.

Sakina Bharmal

The Rajkot resident is especially concerned about the elders in the society, adding that the government needs to take steps to create spaces where the aged can be assimilated.

‘We are Happy With What BJP Has Done For Us’: 57-Year-Old Farmer

For Rameshbhai, a 57-year-old farmer, the BJP government’s SAUNI (Saurastra Narmada Avataran Irrigation) yojana has helped them in times when there hasn’t been enough rainfall, also citing that as something that will define his vote.

We will surely support the BJP. There are difficulties sometimes, but the BJP government has helped us a lot.

Rameshbhai

The Morvi-based farmer also adds that the government’s steps have helped him and many like him in getting a good price for their crops.

‘We Don’t Even Understand GST’: 72-Year-old Retailer

While acknowledging that the BJP government’s intention behind rolling out GST was noble, this 72-year-old retailer, however, says he’s not happy with how it was executed.

GST is a big issue this election for all retailers in Surat. Our business has been affected a lot due to GST. It’s lessened by around 30 percent. The labour working in the textile industry has been leaving Surat.

Kishorebhai

The Surat-based retailer further adds that GST has worsened things for them instead of bettering them. “We can't understand the new GST system. Our CAs can't make sense of it. Who have they made this system for?,” he asks.

‘I Won’t Vote For Any Party This Year’: 41-Year-Old Fisherman

“Both the Congress and BJP come and say they will do a lot for us, but nobody does anything,” is what 41-year-old fisherman Dharmesh Modi cites as his reason for not voting for any party this election.

A lot of emergencies happen around here. The boats catch fire sometimes. At times, there’s a fire where we cook. We don’t have any fire safety measures here. We lost around five-six boats recently.

Dharmesh Modi

Click here to listen to more such voices from Gujarat.

(Voices of Gujarat: Tired of listening to netas make promises? As Gujarat goes to polls, The Quint wants to listen to the real voices of Gujarat – the voters. Tell us what issues matter to you this election season. Send in your videos to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @ [phone])