Gujarat State Elections

Alan D

Dwarka, Western Gujarat. Wednesday 11th December 2002

With only one day left before polling day in the Gujarat State Elections, all is quiet in this Hindu pilgrimage small town on the north west coast of India. In fact, in our travels in Gujarat so far, many locals have pointed out that in the aftermath of the Godhra deaths, most of Gujarat remained very peaceful. Many towns, cities and even villages are mixed communities of Hindus and Muslims stayed calm despite the violence in Ahmedabad and surrounding areas.

Travelling through Gujarat during the past three weeks we were unaware of any communal tensions and none were reported in the press.

This is not to say that the Godhra deaths and the subsequent deaths in intercommunal rioting have been forgotten or forgiven. If the press pundits are right, then the Congress party will only poll heavily among Muslims, Dalits and tribals with the BJP drawing a stronger vote from Hindus, upper caste and backward castes.

Every village and town is plastered with election material bearing either the lotus symbol of the BJP or the raised hand of the Congress party and the command posts of both parties, decorated with posters and bunting, overflow with party workers.

There are other issues involved in this election - water shortages, the state of the Gujarat economy and the overall record of the BJP state government. Most political writers think these will count for little. In the meantime, all India waits for the voters' verdict on the Godhra incident and the BJP's and Narendra Modi's handling of it.

Alan D

archits

election day and for the sake of everyone hope that bjp loses and loses by a big majority.....

Tomi

Papers seem to think that the BJP will win a majority. But at least the elections were largely peaceful.

Alan D

Agree with you archits but I don't think this is going to happen tomorrow. Looks like it's going to be pretty much a re-run of the last Gujarat elections.

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What a long strange trip it's been!