New Delhi: The BJP may try to beat the strong anti-incumbency wave and a perceived indifference of Patidar voters in the western state of Gujarat by advancing the assembly elections - which are otherwise due by November-December this year. According to party sources, poll strategists in the saffron party also feel maximum electoral benefits can be obtained by encashing the strong 'pro Narendra Modi wave,' as was seen during the recently-held Uttar Pradesh elections.
"Advancing the polls may help BJP better as the impact of UP victory can be made use of," a source said. Meanwhile, sources said BJP's ally, Nagaland People's Front (NPF) is also in favour of Assembly polls. In Nagaland, polls are due in March 2018. However, the state's new Chief Minister Shurhozelie is not an MLA and has to face election by next six months. To keep the momentum of Uttar Pradesh poll victory, the BJP poll managers in Gujarat have also decided to make optimum use of a slogan, 'UP Mein 325, Gujarat mein 150'. Gujarat has 187-member Assembly and BJP has been in power for the last two decades - while the contest in the state will be always taken as a prestige battle for the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo.
In its 19-year rule, Mr Modi was the Chief Minister from October 2001 to May 2014 -- with the saffron party recording convincing victory in 2002, 2007 and 2012 assembly polls. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP won all 24 seats in the state. However, it may not be a cakewalk to win the 2017 Assembly polls as the state does not have any strong leader. The incumbent Vijay Rupani is a low-profile leader and was chosen only after having faced a major anti-BJP campaign by Patels (or Patidars) - after the party chose to replace its Chief Minister Anandiben Patel in August last year. "Mr Amit Shah can play a Manohor Parrikar in Gujarat as winning Gujarat too will be very vital" a party source said.
Mr Shah was made BJP chief in July 2014 and his stipulated three-year stint as the national president of the saffron party ends on July 9. BJP's challenge in Gujarat has increased in the state as the battle is no longer confined only against the Congress. By 2015-16, on one hand, Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Admi Party has tried to establish the toehold in Gujarat on the other - all eyes would be on the Patidar community and a mere – 1993-born 23-year-old Patel boy Hardik Patel - who sort of challenged BJP's grip over Gujarat politics in 2015. (UNI)