Cabinet expansion to bolster fortunes of Gujarat 2022 polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet expansion is expected to bring far-reaching implications. It is intriguing to note that seven new ministers from Gujarat have been given key roles while the state Assembly election is ahead in December 2022.

Ahmedabad: The Cabinet expansion happened while the country has been grappling with economic grip. The exorbitant price rise of petrol, diesel, LPG, vegetable, edible oil have been reeling common lives. Covid vaccine shortage also aggravated the situation. The Central government's move has been keenly watched over as upcoming Assembly elections are upcoming.

Dominance of Patidar, OBC and Koli communities

Seven Gujarat MPs representation in Modi Cabinet caters to caste, region-wise equation. Attempts have been made to keep the vote bank intact by giving importance to Patidars, OBCs and Koli community. In addition, Surat MP Darshnaben Jardosh has been appointed in the Cabinet and Minister of State for Textiles and Railways. Aam Aadmi Party paving its way to Surat has been speculated to be the reason behind the appointment. It seems like the Bharatiya Janata Party will be able to pull the votes in the South Gujarat belt, especially Surat.

Parshottam Rupala and Mansukh Madaviya have been appointed minister of fisheries and animal husbandry, minister of health, chemicals and fertilizers respectively. As both of them belong to the Patidar community, it is likely that the BJP aimed at alleviating resentment of Patidar factions — 'Kadva and Leuva' with their elevation.

Practising physician Dr Mahendra Munjapara's place in the Cabinet is likely to woo Koli voters. The BJP has attempted to sweep the vote banks of Saurashtra and South Gujarat with his appointment.

Thakor Samaj community which switched sides to the Congress party in 2017 election is being eyed upon by the BJP as Devu Singh Chauhan's Cabinet appointment suggests. Chauhan belonging to Thakor Samaj is likely to influence his community members to vote for the saffron party.

Gujarat will grow very fast: Yamal Vyas

State BJP spokesperson Yamal Vyas in an interview with ETV Bharat said, "It has never happened that seven MPs from Gujarat have been accommodated in the Union cabinet. It's certainly not a small matter. All the regions of the state are covered, and it will benefit the state. Gujarat will develop very fast. There is no doubt that with the expansion of Modi cabinet, Gujarat's unfinished projects can be completed quickly and Gujarat will reap the benefits of development. It will directly benefit the 2022 elections. All castes have been given priority in this Cabinet expansion and this will definitely benefit Gujarat."

Flaw is in government's engine: Manish Doshi

Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi told ETV Bharat, "The expansion of the Modi cabinet has been done to change the headlines instead of relieving people from recession, inflation and pandemic. The defect is in the government's engine. There are flaws in the heads of the government, who are leading the country into economic trouble, which has annoyed the people of the country. The health minister has been replaced after failing to tackle covid pandemic. It is a good thing that the government accepted this failure."

Doshi went on to add: "But at the same time why the finance ministry, which had a key role in the country's Gross Domestic Product dip, has not been changed, petrol price has crossed Rs 100. Farmers and the public, in general, are annoyed. Then what is the Ministry of Petroleum doing? From this, it is clear that there is a gap between the words and deeds of the government. As far as Gujarat is concerned, 'Achhe Din' was promised, inflation will be reduced in hundred days. Businesses have collapsed due to the ban on notes and Goods and Services Tax. On the other hand, farmers are upset because of the black law. The policy of the government has been anti-people, anti-farmer. Headlines have been changed to divert people's attention."

Only two people run the country: Ishudan Gadhvi

Aam Aadmi Party leader and former journalist Isudan Gadhvi said in a conversation with ETV Bharat that AAP is moving forward in Gujarat. On the other hand, seven ministers from Gujarat have joined the Modi cabinet.

"There are only two people running the country. There are many ministers from Gujarat, but the way two people are running the country, these ministers will remain only till 2022. Gujarat needs change now. The BJP has only made promises, no work is visible on the ground. The people of Gujarat now know their false promises," said Gadhvi.

"The health minister was replaced which literally means the government has failed in the Corona period. We can also see the video of the time when they were protesting against Rs 60 price for petrol and diesel. The good old days have come only for a few businessmen and traders. In Gujarat, people are annoyed by the name of the BJP. People in the villages are telling me not to take names. Taking the name of BJP is also considered a sin," added Gadhvi.