Voices of Gujarat: ‘Don’t Have Strong Opposition’, ‘GST Helped Us’

From healthcare to GST, these voters talk about what will define their vote in the Gujarat elections.

(Photo: The Quint)

A 41-year-old architect, a businesswoman, a trader and more – watch these people from Gujarat talk about what will define their vote this election.

‘Gujarat Does Not Have a Strong Opposition Voice’: 41-Year-old Architect

41-year-old architect and urban planner Meghna Malhotra does not want her city Ahmedabad to turn into a Delhi-like gas chamber. Saying that the city needs better planning, Malhotra cites Ahmedabad’s air quality index as one of her most pressing concerns.

We are not very far from Delhi’s air quality levels. The situation in Delhi is so bad that I don’t know what can be done. But we can still prevent Ahmedabad from becoming the next gas chamber. Ahmedabad prides itself on having one of the best BRT systems, but we need to make it more efficient.

Meghna Malhotra

Malhotra also adds that Gujarat needs a strong dissident voice. “We don’t have a very strong opposition in Gujarat, and that itself questions the very basis of a democracy. This voice [opposition] seems to be shrinking, and it needs to gather pace,” she adds.

‘Standing as an Independent Candidate Because The Govt Has Done no Work’: 36-Year-Old

Indicating that no work done by the government in more than two decades, 36-year-old Ram Dasa of Porbandar has now decided to contest as an independent candidate.

The 36-year-old's grouse is about the lack of employment and healthcare facilities in his region.

Unemployment is a big issue. No industries have come to this place. People are apparently leaving Porbandar to look for employment opportunities elsewhere... Moreover, there has been a shortage of doctors for the last 10 years. People have to go to other cities for treatment.

Ram Dasa

For him, casting a vote for either of the two (big) parties would be a waste.

‘Politicians Only Make Tall Promises Before Elections’: 39-Year-Old Businesswoman

39-year-old businesswoman Ila Patel laments the fact that candidates standing for elections only make tall promises before polling, not living up to them after they’ve been elected to power. She wants the upcoming government in Gujarat to ensure basic facilities to all its citizens.

I want the next government to ensure basic facilities to all its citizens, including roads and water to agricultural requirements. Another issue is education. The fees in government and private schools is so high that medium-income group families can’t afford it.

Ila Patel

'GST Has Really Benefitted Us': 72-Year-old Surat Trader

Differing from a lot of other traders in Surat, 72-year-old Ram Avatar Sabu asserts that the GST has really benefitted them and that the media has not focused on this at all.

Yes, GST has given us problems, but it has also benefitted us, something the media is not talking about. It hasn’t affected our sales. There are a few issues with the paperwork involving GST, but the government will work on it with time. It has had no adverse effect on genuine businessmen.

Ram Avatar Sabu

Sabu also confidently asserts that one year down the line, traders will ask why the tax regime wasn’t rolled out earlier. “Right now, it's bothering everybody, but after a year, traders will ask why it wasn't rolled out earlier.

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])