Will discontentment affect local polls in Gujarat?

ETV Bharat takes a look at some interesting features of the tug of war for tickets in political parties for the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC)'s election.

Ahmedabad/Rajkot/Vadodara: The local self-government bodies' elections are around the corner in Gujarat. In the six municipal corporations in the BJP, average 45 persons had demanded tickets per ward. The situation was even worst in Congress. Those who were denied tickets raised a banner of revolt at the Congress headquarters. The revolt was so fierce that senior Congress leaders had to go into hiding. The Congress leadership is still holding meetings in different farmhouses surreptitiously, not in the know of its own party workers. The workers from NSUI created a ruckus at a farmhouse compelling senior Congress leaders to run helter-skelter.

The pressure tactics of Imran Khedavala

The tug of war for tickets in the Congress became so fierce that angry at the denial of tickets to candidates of his choice, Congress MLA Imran Khedavala tendered his resignation. Khedavala was extremely unhappy with the Congress which had given mandate to six candidates in Behrampura ward. Making his displeasure public, Khedavala handed over his resignation to state Congress president Amit Chavda instead of assembly speaker Rajendra Trivedi. Later, after the intervention of an emissary from Delhi, Khedavala withdrew his resignation.

For the past three terms, the BJP has been in power in the AMC. Such is the sad scenario of the Congress that candidates show least interest in fighting on its tickets. Naranpura is one such ward where Congress has become powerless. Chandrika Raval of the Congress withdrew her nomination form following which, BJP's Bindra Surti won uncontested. Sonal Patel, vice-president of Mahila Congress, alleged that the leadership had sold India Colony ward ticket for Rs 20 lakh. As Patel's allegations were of a serious nature, she was sacked from the party.

Deepak Babaria had to take note of it

The letter sent by Deepak Babaria, who has been appointed as an electoral observer, is being seen as an indication of rebellion. Babaria has described how the panels of the candidates chosen by him were altered overnight after leaders and MLAs mounted pressure. He said he would write to the Delhi high command in this regard.

BJP president had plans to quell the rebellion

Gujarat BJP president CR Patil had seen the writing on the wall before the announcement of the elections. Sensing the brewing rebellion, he made an example of Sonal Modi. Despite being the niece of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sonal was not given ticket. This was enough to send message across party’s rank and file that the party does not allow nepotism at any cost. This example was enough to shut the mouths of many discontented party workers. However, the rebellion is not quelled yet. The discontented party workers are sure not to work for the party during the elections.

Flame of discontentment is clamped, not doused

In the parliamentary board meeting, Patil decreed that those above 60 and those who have been corporators for three consecutive terms will not be given tickets. Tickets shall also not be given to the kith and kin of the BJP leaders, thus eradicating nepotism from the party. Though the discontentment is not out in the open, it is seething underneath as a complaint has come that senior corporators are not joining the campaign for the new candidates. Though the BJP has openly declared the list of its candidates, the Congress has not been able to do so. Congress had to intimate its mandate to its candidates through email or phone.

Why there is hankering for tickets in local bodies' polls?

When the ticket is denied in the BJP or the Congress, party workers revolt. The party appeases such workers. However, such workers act as villains. In both the BJP as well as the Congress, discontentment was palpably visible. Every candidate covets for the post of a corporator. Every candidate desires that he is elected as a corporator then become MLA and then MP. Therefore, there is such hankering for tickets in the local bodies' polls.

Ticket or no ticket, everyone is equal in the party: Dhansukh Bhanderi

BJP stalwart and state municipal finance board chairman Dhansukh Bhanderi told ETV Bharat that ticket or no ticket, everyone is equal in the party. Those who have been denied tickets are supposed to work shoulder to shoulder with those who have been given tickets. The law of the party is supreme for all party members.

Only weak-kneed flee Congress: Indranil Rajyaguru

Former MLA of Rajkot, Indranil Rajyaguru told ETV Bharat: "Maybe Congress leaders quit the party, but the party workers never desert their party. Our workers are stronger than those of the BJP. The BJP hides its discontented workers. The Congress party workers work for their party with passion."

"The BJP being the largest political party of India is least disturbed if a discontented party worker quits the party. The party has the mandate of 70% voters in the country. If the party worker who has defected from the BJP wins as an independent candidate, he can be taken back in the party. However, the same is not the case with Congress. The entire party machinery seems to have been dismantled. Senior journalist Ajay Dave told ETV Bharat