Election is an opportunity for everybody to become Jyotishi

“Oh bhai, I read Congress leader Narhari Amin’s interview and he was saying Congress will surely win Khadia byelection,” Pashu told me.

“Ha bhai, Narhari professed such Jyotish before last three assembly elections that he lost. Amin lost Sabarmati assembly seat twice, and then went to fight the election all along to Matar, but lost there too. Amin was confident and vouching for Congress victory before Gandhinagar Lok Sabha election too. He was saying that Advani would lost. And before Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation election also Narhari was equally confident, but in all these elections Congress lost, and BJP was victorious with thumping majority. Thanks God he is not Jyotishi, otherwise Amin saheb no dhandho chaupat thai jaat,” I replied Pashu.

“OK so Narhari is not believable, but he says there are just 72000 voters and verdict can go in Congress’s favor,” Pashu tried to make his point further.

“Arre Pashu, it is not that there are very few – 72000 voters and therefore Congress is dreaming victory, the fact is that the Congress party in Gujarat is now only limited to pockets where topi and dadhiwala Miyabhai voters are there in big number. Out of 72000 voters of Khadia, Muslims are about 24000 and therefore Congress is dreaming ‘insha Allah type’ victory in Khadia. All it needs are five to ten thousands votes of Hindus to ensure victory of its candidate,” I told Pashu.

“So, will Congress candidate Jagat Shukla get this number of votes of Hindus of Khadia? Pashu asked.”

“Jaray nahi, a typical middle class Hindu voter whether it is Khadia in Amdavad or Vadia in Amreli would never vote for Congress. One Khadia voter of such type told me that once he thought to vote for Congress but his finger just couldn’t touch the button of ‘Panjo’, and ultimately he voted Bhajap only,” I told Pashu.

“Arre pan – Congress candidate will get at least some votes of Hindus from Khadia…” Pashu continued.

“Jo Pashu, this Congress Umedvar Jagat Shukla was once organizing cricket matches in Khadia. He formed Raipur youth circle too. He contested election, but lost. He had some support in Pakhali ni pol where he lived, but later he left Khadia and settled outside. His some friends were abroad, some settled in other areas of the city. His own supporters could be hardly few hundreds in core Khadia at this time,” I replied.

“But then he would get few thousand votes as he is Congress candidate,” Pashu said.

“No no, Congress has no skeleton, no soul, no body, no network in Khadia. Some temporary network with some imported and some local people has been built by Congress in view of the election, but that is not enough and not at all effective. BJP is in every home here, Congress is not even in every pocket here. Congress is neither in power in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation nor in state assembly. People know that supporting Congress would pay nothing. Most of those unhappy with BJP or BJP candidate would stay at home, very few of them would actually go to polling station to vote,” I said Pashu.

“But Shankarsinh Vaghela has held caste and community meetings of Khadia as part of the campaign, will not it be effective?”

“Shankarsinh had done so when his Rajapa candidate Kiran Shah contested Khadia assembly in past. He had organized a road show too, but his candidate lost ultimately. Do you think this Gyati Jati Biradari politics works anymore in urban Gujarat? Shankarsinh should try some newer kind of politics suitable to current generation and condition. Interesting thing is that Shankarsinh convened all caste community meetings outside Khadia. He wants to involve himself in Khadia election, but at the same time he wants to do this being low profile, possibly to rescue himself from responsibility of eventual defeat,” I told Pashu.

“And what about Muslim voters? Pashu asked.”

“Miyabhai generally vote for Congress. Some of them will vote for BJP too this time, but they will be very few. However there is one apprehension among Muslim voters of Jamalpur/Raikhad areas(part of Khadia), that if Congress’s Hindu candidate Jagat Shukla wins, he will be powerful enough to seek Congress ticket in next Gujarat assembly general election next year. Next year in general election Khadia will have new geography and Muslim votes will be in majority due to inclusion of Muslim dominated Jamalpur area in Khadia constituency. Muslims want Muslim candidate, and they don’t want Congress’s Jagat Shukla to win and become powerful to demand ticket next time preventing chance for Muslim candidate. This factor is also there. Allah jane whether it will work or not, but sabotage is possible, who knows?” I replied Pashu.

“But local newspapers also are publishing stories that Congress could win Khadia,” Pashu told me.

“Yes, but newspapers were proven wrong during last ten years in every election in Gujarat. Reporters should not become Jyotishi because the results make them too tiny. One important observation is that every time before the election when local newspapers write that BJP is in danger, or tough fight chhe etc, the voters overwhelmingly come out of home to vote for BJP to ensure its victory. Therefore newspapers should continue to write that BJP hare evu lage chhe, and Congress baji mari jay to navai nahi.”

“Oh fine, but today on last day of campaign, Congress brought in Mohammad Azharuddin to lure Muslim voters, and Roma Manek to lure Hindu voters. Hows that? Pashu’s final question.”

“As world cup cricket is coming soon, Azharuddin can be motivational figure for all those who want to try their luck with some satta batting. If Mahatma Gandhi’s Congress party wants to ensure victory by showing Azharuddin in streets, God helps them. This Azharuddin was kicked out of the Indian Cricket team for his involvement in batting. And about Roma Manek, most of the people don’t know who is she! She was a Gujarati heroine who nowadays does not get much films because she has put on some weight,” I replied.

“So can you sum up the things in short?” Pashu asked to complete the talk.

“O.K. BJP candidate Bhushan has somewhat gray image because of his construction business, and lacking of ‘pramanik jan sevak’ image that one emerging young leader should have. This may damage his few votes. Modi’s goodwill, BJP’s golden era will most probably keep most of the saffron supporting voters intact. If there’s sabotage from some group of BJP in some pocket, then that can prove a big loss. Congress candidate Jagat Shukla is starting his political career, therefore he has clean image compare to Bhushan. Jagat doesn’t stay in Khadia, but he is from Khadia and willing to come back here in his house. Jagat has full backing of state Congress leaders who are working tirelessly to ensure his victory. It is good that neither party underestimates other candidate, and no party is overconfident about winning. It is hard for Congress to defeat BJP in booth management. While Congress will have to rely on imported workers in most of the booths of core Hindu Khadia area, the BJP will have imported plus local workers. Till now the people attending Congress’s public meeting are equal in number to the people who gather outside the BJP election office of Khadia every evening,” I concluded.

Bhushan Bhatt and Jagat Shukla in pre election debate show on television(VIDEO)

Khadia byelection:BJP is not overconfident, Congress is contesting seriously

A visit to Khadia byelection amid election fever