Gujarat is more important than Uttar Pradesh for Modi. Historically a trade state, Gujarat is Modi’s pride. Losing Gujarat, where the BJP has been ruling for the past 22 years, will be a terrible fall of face for BJP and Modi.
Elections in Gujarat are being fought on different issues.Gujarat for Modi is about pride, Uttar Pradesh was crucial for the numbers it got the BJP. While the prime minister has been harping on Gujarati Asmita, the BJP being forced to go from door-to-door to resell Modi in Gujarat is the “defining story of this election.”
For nearly two decades, it had taken it easy, relying on Modi’s image, record and high rhetoric. But, this year, it has been forced to push its infantry into the battle.
Small traders are high and dry while major industrialists are thriving. Demonetisation and GST have hit trade hard in Surat, Rajkot, Alang and Anjar. Will your government take responsibility?” Rahul asked Modi?
BJP’s defensive attitude while saving itself from any attack brought forth the point that the party might be worried about how Gujarat, a historically trade state, might react or punish the government.
If BJP’s tally is neck-to-neck with the Congress, even that is a huge fall of face for the saffron party in Modi’s Raj.
U.Srinivas
Editor
