Voices of Gujarat: ‘Hindutva Defines My Vote’, ‘Be Patient on GST’

From Rohingya Muslims to healthcare, watch these five people talk about what will define their vote this election.

From Rohingya Muslims to health, watch these five people talk about what will define their vote this election.

(Photo: The Quint)

A 50-year-old accountant, a garment store operator, a senior citizen and more – Watch these people from Gujarat tell us what will define their vote this election.

‘If Rohingya Muslims Come Here, Then What Will Happen to Our Country?’: Accountant

For 50-year-old Hitesh Arun Kumar Sharma, Hindutva will be the primary factor deciding his vote. An accountant in Ahmedabad, he opposes any influx of Rohingya Muslims into the country – an issue that has come into prominence as lakhs of them escape persecution in Myanmar and the matter being discussed in Supreme Court.

If I vote, I will do so only on the basis of Hindutva. Look at Rohingya Muslims wanting to come to this country. If they come here, what will happen to the issues already facing the country?

‘Be Patient About GST, Demonetisation Unearthed Black Money’: Garment Shop Operator

31-year-old Harshal Parekh stresses on the fact that it will take some time for people to adapt to the GST regime, indicating that one should be patient and bear the short-term pains.

Though demonetisation has come under attack especially after it was revealed in the RBI report that 99 percent of the demonetised currency has come back to the system, Parekh praises the move, saying:

Because of demonetisation, lots of black money has definitely come out.

‘No Development in The Health Sector’: 69-Year Old Ashokbhai Patel

69-year-old Ashokbhai Patel of Anand district is worried about the healthcare facilities in the state, saying that there has been no development in the sector anywhere.

The government and village hospitals don’t have facilities for sugar and blood testing.

The healthcare system in Gujarat seems to be a mixed bag. While one report ranks it among the top five states in terms of public health infrastructure, another details its dismal health record in rural areas.

‘Politicians Shouldn’t Make Tall Promises, But Come and Understand Our Poor Localities’: Homemaker

Instead of just making tall promises in speeches, Ahmedabad resident Kotliben wants politicians to visit her poor locality, understand and tackle its issues, like unemployment, illness, and harassment of women.

She talks about housing for the poor, mentioning that many people in her locality credit Narendra Modi for building houses there.

When our house was constructed here, there was a board of Modi next to it. Now, everyone thinks that these houses were built because of Modi. If he works for the poor, we’ll vote for him.

‘Politicians Wouldn’t Have Let Me Stay at My House’: Fatima Bibi

In every election, Ahmedabad resident Fatima Bibi casts her vote for Congress because that is the party her father and grandfather had always supported. It’ll be the same this time around, and it doesn't even matter if they get any benefit or not, she says.

“The big politicians do not work for us. If it is up to them, they would push me out of my own house. The house we live in is not even in our name.”

Click here if you want to listen to more such voices from Gujarat.

Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim