Test for two: The Gujarat power play
Gujaratis has never entertained political parties or fronts that mushroom on the eve of elections. Voters have always tested parties and leaders for years and some time for decades. The political history says that voters are smart enough to understand who are the night fliers and will lose visibility post elections. Gujarat has never made space for short term politicians — the list is long — starting with Chimanbhai Patel, Shankarsinh Vaghela and Keshubhai Patel.
Gujarat and Gujaratis are different. A multi party system never won its heart. Since its inception as a state, voters voted only for mainstream parties, Congress or Swatantra Party. Even tall leaders like Bhailal Patel could not lead the Swatantra party to power after long political struggles. It is an ideal example that voters don’t accept parties easily, said BJP spokesman Jaynarayan Vyas. Voters are well aware that parties or leaders surfacing in the elections become invisible after that and so don’t trust and vote such parties.
Political analysts are of the opinion that in Gujarat, excluding the Swatantra Party or even the left, no new front or party was launched on socio-economic grounds. This failed to attract voters in building a committed vote bank. Even charisma …read more
