When caste-obsessed elements put a gun to Gujarat BJP’s head

By Japan K Pathak, 19 September 2014

Some caste obsessed leaders are putting gun to Gujarat BJP’s head and demanding ticket to contest Rajkot West seat. They claim that their caste enjoys greater presence in Rajkot West assembly seat area and therefore they should be given ticket.

A gentleman called Haribhai Patel who is former Member of parliament of Porbandar argues that Kadva Patel community has major presence in Rajkot West assembly seat area and therefore BJP should give ticket to Kadva Patel candidate. Kadva Patel is sub-caste of Patel community. Haribhai says that if BJP undermines Kadva Patel community’s presence in Rajkot West limits, it will face adverse situation like it recently faced in Mangrol assembly by-poll. It should be noted here that in Mangrol, BJP had given ticket to Karadia caste candidate against whom, Congress party fielded Koli community candidate. As Kolis have tendency to vote only for Koli candidate, they voted for Congress candidate. Moreover the Muslims unitedly voted for Congress candidate. Combination of both made Congress candidate victorious with comfortable majority. Haribhai threatens same consequences if BJP doesn’t give ticket to anyone other than Kadva Patel.

The Rajkot West constituency has also good presence of Brahmins, and therefore former Mayor Sandhya Vyas has also sought BJP ticket. Then there are others too in line.

Rajkot West seat’s by-election is taking place due to resignation of Vajubhai Vala who was MLA from here for last many terms. Vajubhai left the seat and the post of Speaker of Gujarat assembly following his appointment as Governor of Karnataka. Vajubhai was from Karadia caste.

In year 2012 assembly general elections, former Rajya Sabha MP and Modi loyalist Vijaybhai Rupani had demanded party ticket to contest from Rajkot West seat. Till the last time, his name was in discussion with Vajubhai. Finally Vajubhai got the ticket. Now when Vajubhai has resigned from Rajkot West seat, Vijaybhai’s name was obvious as BJP candidate.

But in absence of Narendra Modi in Gujarat and in the backdrop of recent loss of Mangrol seat in Saurashtra region, caste obsessed small-time leaders are seen struggling to become bigger.

So what should BJP do? BJP must reject caste-obsessed morons who are threatening the party. BJP must select correct candidate irrespective of his/her caste. And BJP must employ best effort to make such candidate victorious.

Rajkot West is an urban area seat and therefore caste factor wouldn’t matter much. No Haribhai or Charibhai is spokesperson of all those in Rajkot-West seat area belonging to his caste or community. If at all in 14th year of 21st century, caste arithmetic matter in this undeclared capital city of Saurashtra region, let it be so. BJP doesn’t need majority at present in the assembly, and one seat loss would not make much difference to its power. If BJP succumbs to threats of someone, BJP stays exposed, if BJP doesn’t succumb and people elect somoenoe purely on caste basis, people stay exposed, if BJP and people both prove wise, then few morons claiming to represent their caste members stay exposed. Most likely third is going to happen.