BJP has fielded 33% Patel candidates, Gujarat civic polls,Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation elections,AMC Polls, Patidar quota , Anandi civic polls,BJP 1st candidate list AMC polls
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- Category: Gujarat Political News
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 04 November 2015 13:03
BJP has fielded 33% Patel candidates, Gujarat civic polls,Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation elections,AMC Polls, Patidar quota , Anandi civic polls,BJP 1st candidate list AMC polls
With just 17 days left before the acid test of the upcoming civic polls for the Anandi civic polls for the Anandiben Patel government amid the Patidar turmoil, the BJP declared its first list for Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation elections on Tuesday .
Despite Patidar quota stir leaders urging Patels to `crush the lotus', BJP has reposed its faith in the community, fielding 61 Patel candidates on their list of 186 declared candidates.BJP has fielded nearly 33% Patel candidates this time, which is more than their 28% representation in the 2010 elections, when 55 Patel candidates were given BJP tickets. This list is expected to set the tone for candidate selection by the saffron party for other bodies as well.
The party has repeated 30% of its sitting municipal coun cillors, clearly indicating that it had relied more on suggestions of sitting MP and MLAs -giving priority to loyalty. This is giving out a clear signal of what the BJP's strategy will be while declaring candidate lists for the six other municipal corporations.
Another interesting aspect of the list is the Muslim candidates fielded by the BJP . In the 2010 elelctions, the BJP had fielded six candidates, but this year there are just four Muslim candi dates.
In Vadodara, a day or two prior to the declaration of the party's candi date list, the local BJP office has al ready started making phone calls to candidates who will be given tickets. BJP Vadodara district unit president Satish Patel believes the Patidar agitation will not have a major impact in Central Gujarat. Sources say that in areas like Gotri, Gorwa-Alkapuri, Nizampura, Sama, Karelibaug, Manjalpur, Chhani, Harni, Raopura and others, Patidar candidates may be nominated.
In Surat, Congress is all set to dent the BJP in wards which witnessed Patidar vio lence following the arrest of PAAS leader Hardik Patel. These in clude Mota Varacha, Sart hana , Simada, Puna, Katargam and Ved, all of which have a sizable Patidar population.
In Rajkot, BJP leaders claim that they are likely to face a backlash in Kadva Patel-domi nated areas. A Rajkot BJP insider says, "We may suffer on around 16-20 seats in the city due to the Patidar stir but we will retain the civic body."
An interesting mix by BJP
AHMEDABAD BJP strongholds in Patel dominated areas were buzzing with activity before declaration of the list. In areas like Nava Vadaj, Ranip, Chandlodia, Gota, Jodhpur, BJP has ensured an interesting mix of Patel candidates from Saurashtra and North Gujarat. A senior Congress leader told TOI that they will keep an eye out for disgruntled BJP members for poll campaign. BJP spokesperson Harshad Patel said that his party prefers to field the right candidates.
OBC: A crucial factor
SURAT Though Surat city witnessed Patidar violence, it was restricted to a few pockets of the city. An interesting factor that many seem to overlook is that while Surat city has 51% of OBC population, Surat district has 4550% Scheduled Tribe (ST) population. In Surat city, Patidar population hovers around 1617%. A senior BJP leader said, "Partidar effect will be visible only in few wards because there is a large migrant population and local Surtis," he says.
SPG to back anti-BJP forces
VADODARA Sardar Patel Group (SPG) leader Lalji Patel said in Savli that Patidars should vote against the BJP.He said that the group would not seek votes for any particular party."We will be creating awareness in the community that they should not vote for a party that was involved in committing police excesses," Lalji said. He said while the SPG would stick to its ideology of not aligning with a political party, it would advise the community to vote for good candidates who had supported the Patidar reservation agitation.
Old horses to the rescue
RAJKOT The Patidar quota stir looms large over upcoming civic polls for the BJP in Rajkot. The party plans to field some of its old horses.Currently, out of the 59 BJP candidates, 19 councillors belong to the Patidar community. Uday Kangad, dy mayor, standing committee chairman Nitin Bhardwaj and former standing committee chairman Kashyap Shukla had announced that they do not want to contest. In the changed scenario, BJP is likely to repose trust in these three leaders again.