If the first phase of polling in Gujarat is any indication, the second phase surely has a lot of surprises up its sleeve.
On the penultimate day of campaigning, Patidar leader PAAS convenor Hardik Patel did an all-day roadshow in Ahmedabad which ended with a huge rally in Patidar-dominated Nikol area.
It is fascinating to see a leader who is not contesting the elections snatch the spotlight from the likes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly elected Congress President Rahul Gandhi. However, will Hardik’s blitz against the BJP bear fruit on 18 December?
Although Patidars throng Hardik’s rallies, it is unclear who they will actually vote for. Sources claim that in Surat, where the Patidar agitation was at its peak, has seen voting in favour of the BJP. If true, this will turn out to be a surprise given the support Hardik has been getting at his rallies.
Rebel for Reservation
On Monday, after the Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police declined the BJP’s and Congress’ requests to hold a roadshow in the city on Tuesday, Hardik Patel managed to pull one off right under the nose of cops. The roadshow went on for over 15 kms and made its way through the heart of the city with young Patidar supporters trailing Hardik on bikes and four-wheelers. Ahmedabad Police has stated that they will take legal action against the Patidar leader.
The day-long rally culminated at Nikol, a Patidar-dominated area in the city where PM Narendra Modi held a massive rally last week. Patidars from Nikol had poured into the GMDC ground on 25 August when Hardik called the Patidar Maha Rally which ended in rioting and curfew. They have not forgotten the police atrocities they faced on that fateful day, yet they are not entirely willing to swing where Hardik directs them.
What is the Patidar Mood?
Hardik’s rally was scheduled to start at 6:30 pm, around the same time as Modi’s rally at the Sabarmati riverfront on Monday. However, the roadshow was stuck in traffic and Hardik was delayed by a couple of hours. By then thousands had already thronged the rally ground opposite the Registrar’s office in Nikol.
When this reporter interacted with the crowd waiting for Hardik, people candidly stated their indecision. Although a few were very clear that their vote will go to the Congress, others said they were present only for the Patidar samaj and not to revolt against the BJP.
One of the supporters told The Quint, “Modiji is putting up a fine show at the Centre and we are happy that he is in Delhi. Yes, we are angry about the reservation issue and the way Patidars were assaulted by the cops. I am here because the (Patidar) samaj is here and I will vote where the samaj is voting. I have no grudges against the BJP or Modi,” one of the supporters told The Quint.
“The Congress is willing to offer Patidars reservation, but we cannot trust the Congress. There is anger against the BJP, but I cannot say where the Patidar vote will swing this time. We support Hardik and the reservation call, but we cannot say who we will vote for this time,” said another supporter.
Ahmedabad goes to polls on 14 December and has always been a bastion of the BJP. For the first time in almost two decades, the electorate of the state is not sure which side to vote for.
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