On Narendra Modi’s resignation from Vadodara seat

Ahmedabad, 29 May, 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today vacated Vadodara Lok Sabha seat. Shri Narendra Modi had contested from two Lok Sabha seats – Vadodara and Varanasi in general elections 2014. As per a rule he had to leave one of the seats within 15 days. Modi has strategically decided to leave Vadodara seat. After his resignation from Vadodara, Modi posted three tweets:

-Resigned from Vadodara LS seat. Due to people’s affection got elected by historic margin. Will always remain grateful to people of Vadodara.

-I assure people of Vadodara I will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Vadodara’s development scales newer heights in the years to come.

-I will represent Varanasi in Lok Sabha & I look forward to this wonderful opportunity to serve Ganga Maa & work for Varanasi’s development.

Modi’s purpose of contesting from two seats is partially served. He wanted to create a record of all time high margin of victory on Vadodara seat. However he could partially achieved this goal. He could secure 5.7 lakh margin, while the highest margin till date is 5.9. However in his victory rally in Vadodara, Modi said that if you consider only general election results, 5.7 lakh is highest margin till date. Modi also wanted to impact all central Gujarat seats through Vadodara. He has completed his goal in this regard. Some seats like Anand in central Gujarat where Congress was strong are now with BJP.

By selecting Varanasi as another seat, Modi wanted to impact the Uttar Pradesh voters, especially the eastern belt of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Modi has achieved grand success in this connection. BJP led NDA won 73 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh.

In view of Uttar Pradesh results and upcoming assembly polls in both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, it was believed that Modi would strategically retain Varanasi seat, and that’s what he has done.

Shri Modi’s resignation will result into by-election on Vadodara seat within six months from now.

It is yet not clear that who will contest from this seat on BJP ticket, but whoever will contest will win. The same could be or perhaps couldn’t be the case if he had vacated Varanasi.

Reactions in Vadodara:

Couple of Gujarati newspapers tried to do story on people’s adverse reactions over possibility of Narendra Modi leaving Vadodara seat, but they were not successful to have any quote barring few Congress leaders/supporters. People in Vadodara knew it from first day that Modi could vacate this seat, but they voted for him overwhelmingly. They are enough wise to understand that strategically it is better for Modi to retain Varanasi seat.

Note:

Madhusudan Mistry who contested against Modi in Vadodara today denied any possibility of contesting from Vadodara again.