The Game Of Gujarat

Despite Rahul Gandhi’s sincere efforts & the social coalition he has managed, surveys point to Modi’s edge in the state 

- Suman K. Jha

THE GUJARAT ELECTIONS will impact national politics in ways more than one. For one, it’s the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah. A win there would be a vote of confidence in the sons of soil. A loss would be nothing less than a loss of face. For Rahul Gandhi, about to be anointed Congress president, a win in the state would boost his sagging fortunes. BW Businessworld presents to you the battle of Gujarat as a ready reckoner:

Narendra Modi vs Rahul Gandhi: In the past, the outcome of such a battle has been a forgone conclusion. BJP has often joked that Gandhi’s rise as Congress president would be the biggest gift to them; so ineffective he has been in checking the BJP rise. This time round, however, it’s a different ballgame. Gandhi is getting traction in Gujarat. He has left no stone unturned in putting up a formidable challenge to the BJP. From soft Hindutva to cultivating various caste groups, Gandhi has done it all. OBC mascot Alpesh Thakore has joined him. Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani says 90 per cent of his demands have been agreed to by Gandhi. Patidar young turk Hardik Patel is ambivalent, though he may announce last-minute support. All in all, Modi’s BJP faces a formidable force in the social coalition that Gandhi has managed this election.