New Delhi: That they had performed a vital position in Bharatiya Janata Get together’s (BJP) tally being lowered to 99 in 2017. 5 years on, it’s the Patidars amongst all of the communities that ensured the BJP set a brand new document by breaching the 150-mark in Gujarat.
The extent of the group’s affect within the 2022 meeting elections might be gauged from the truth that 41 of the entire 48 Patidar candidates fielded by the social gathering — based on an inside evaluation completed by the BJP’s Gujarat unit — gained from their seats, ThePrint has learnt.
Explaining the position of Patidars in BJP’s efficiency, a senior social gathering functionary instructed ThePrint that the Congress gave tickets to 41 Patidar candidates however solely three gained whereas the Aam Aadmi Get together (AAP), which hoped to garner the help of the Patidar youth, gave tickets to 55 candidates out of which solely 2 emerged victorious.
“So far as the OBC (Different Backward Class) group is anxious, the BJP gave tickets to 57 candidates of which 48 gained. The Congress gave ticket to 49 OBC candidates out of which simply 3 gained, whereas the AAP gave ticket to 30 candidates however only one gained,” a Gujarat BJP supply mentioned.
Patidars again in BJP fold
In all, Patidars represent roughly 1.5 crore of Gujarat’s whole inhabitants of 6.90 crore and are mentioned to affect votes in near 55-60 seats.
Of the 182 meeting seats in Gujarat, 48 are in Saurashtra area, the stronghold of the Patidar group. This time across the BJP gained in 39 of the 48 seats, which additionally embody seats that aren’t dominated by the Patidars.
In 2017, the Patidar agitation drove away the group from the BJP and massively dented its place within the area. BJP gained simply 19 seats in Saurashtra that yr as towards 30 in 2012. The Congress gained 28 seats in 2017, up from 15 in 2012. It performed a component in bringing down the BJP’s general tally to 99, the bottom to this point.
With the 2017 quota agitation now lengthy over and the Centre’s determination giving 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker part (EWS) basically class jobs, the sentiment of the Patidar group modified in Gujarat they usually determined to align themselves with the BJP.
“Nobody believed us once we mentioned earlier than the elections that the Patidars would vote for us wholeheartedly as all their main considerations have been addressed by the BJP. Whether or not it’s the youth or the general inhabitants, the truth that we gave 10 per cent quota in jobs and schooling to the EWS among the many ‘higher castes’, and the truth that in Gujarat, we additionally offered a particular mortgage for them (these not lined underneath quota) whether or not it was for beginning a brand new enterprise or for instructional function, was appreciated by all,” Gujarat BJP spokesperson Yamal Vyas mentioned.
One other senior BJP chief mentioned that through the door-to-door contact programme carried out by the Mahila Morcha, the social gathering staff ensured {that a} tab was saved on whether or not the beneficiaries have been getting the advantages on floor or not.
The BJP has been making concerted efforts to woo the Patidar group, essentially the most politically influential group in Gujarat. In 2021, the social gathering changed chief minister Vijay Rupani with Bhupendra Patel. This yr earlier than the elections, it inducted Hardik Patel who had leaped into the highlight with the 2015 Patidar agitation in Gujarat throughout which he fought for getting OBC standing and reservation for the group.
Earlier than the elections, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated a multi-specialty hospital in Rajkot, an space largely dominated by the Patidars. Along with this, Union Residence Minister Amit Shah, who spearheaded the Gujarat marketing campaign, additionally categorically acknowledged that CM Bhupendra Patel can be retained if the BJP involves energy once more, one thing which isn’t frequent for the BJP to do.
The second BJP chief additional mentioned that other than the Patidars, many different ‘higher caste’ communities, particularly the ladies, additionally supported the BJP and its insurance policies. “You need to perceive that 2017 was an aberration and the group was offended however the BJP has resolved all their points. On the similar time, when the group noticed that youth leaders like Hardik Patel joined the BJP they realised that solely the BJP can work for his or her welfare,” he mentioned.
Additionally Learn: Quota stir lengthy over & EWS to woo Patidars, however BJP’s leaving nothing to likelihood in Saurashtra
Dalit, tribal strike price additionally excessive
The BJP additionally cornered the tribal and the Dalits votes with the assistance of candidates picked from these communities.
Of the 27 tickets that the social gathering gave to tribal candidates, 23 gained, the Gujarat BJP supply quoted earlier mentioned. In distinction, the Congress gave tickets to twenty-eight tribal candidates out of which 3 gained. There have been 29 adivasi candidates preventing on AAP tickets however only one gained.
“In terms of Dalits, the BJP gave tickets to 13 candidates whereas 11 gained. The Congress, then again, gave tickets to 14 out of which 2 gained whereas the AAP gave tickets to 13 candidates out of which just one gained,” the BJP supply added.
Higher castes additionally went with BJP
The higher castes, which incorporates Brahmins, Jains and Kshatriyas, continued to be the BJP’s conventional vote financial institution. Of the 37 tickets that the social gathering gave to higher caste candidates, 33 gained, the Gujarat BJP chief instructed ThePrint.
The Congress gave tickets to 50 higher caste candidates out of which 6 gained whereas AAP fielded 52 however just one cleared the electoral check.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Additionally Learn: Why BJP’s overtures paid off in Gujarat tribal belt & Rahul’s outreach makes an attempt failed