Rajkot has always been an RSS-BJP stronghold, as Prime Minister Modi also chose the constituency for his entry into politics.
BJP senior leader Purshottam Rupala is the BJP’s candidate from Rajkot.
During the early days of campaigning, Rupala remarked while appreciating the Rukhi people that during the pre-independence era, the rulers were into Roti-Beti with the Britishers. This roughly means that Rulers used to wed their daughters with the Britishers so that their kingdoms remained with themselves.
The videos spread like wildfire, and the comment did not go down well with the Kshatriya community who felt that the remark had put the bravery of all their rulers in a poor spot, especially when those among them were the ones who gave away their kingdoms for the creation of the union of independent India.
As a reaction, The Kshatriyas demanded the BJP high command to replace Rupala’s candidature.
However, Rupala filed his nomination on 16th April, which was accepted on 19th.
The Kshatriyas, who have lost all hopes of changing Rupala’s candidature have now decided to target the BJP.
Congress played their cards by giving the ticket opposite Rupala to Paresh Dhanani who hails from the Leuva Patidar community, as against Rupala who is a Kadva Patidar. It is to be noted that almost 80% of Patidars in the region are Leuva. Also, Leuvas are traditionally community voters.
It is important to note that Rajkot’s Naresh Patel, who was instrumental in setting up the Khodaldham temple is a very prominent leader of the Leuva community and community members look upon him for their political guidance.
In the 2009 elections, BJP’s candidate Kiran Patel (Bhalodia) was a popular personality from the Kadva Patidar community.
In 2009, Kiran Patel winning the seat looked almost certain right from the beginning, however, during the last days, the tables turned on him as Naresh Patel led the Leuva community and decided to vote against him.
The Congress’ candidate Bavalia also had the support of the Koli community who currently have a 15% vote share in the region. Finally, Bavalia snatched the seat with 24,735 votes.
Before a couple of days, a ‘Patrika’ (leaflet) was floated by unknown people in Rajkot.
The leaflet said that ‘Rajkot which is a Leuva majority constituency was traditionally a Leuva seat. However, it has been changed to Kadva candidate since some elections, which is not acceptable.’
The leaflet also listed some derogatory words spoken at various instances over the last several years by Rupala against the Leuvas.
Subsequently, the Rajkot BJP filed a police complaint against the Patrika.
The police arrested four youths responsible for the printing and circulation of Patrika on Friday.
However, the arrests have not gone with the Leuva community. As an aftereffect of the arrest, the community leaders are taking it as an insult to the community and challenging members of their community to come out and reply with their votes.
According to Leuva leaders, there was nothing wrong or fake in the ‘Patrika’, they had just compiled and printed the facts.
In 2009, Leuvas supported the Koli candidate to win against the BJP’s Kadva Patidar candidate in Rajkot.
This time Leuva community leaders are approaching Kolis to return the favour.
Hence it seems that the BJP is facing the heat from a section of Kshatriya, Leuva, Koli and Muslim communities.
However, all is not as bad as it looks.
Since Rupala has apologised to the Kshatriyas thrice, other leaders such as the Gujarat home minister have also apologised in public, due to which the BJP has gained sympathy. Leuva’s educated youths are above community politics and favouring the politics of development.
With just 3 days to go for voting, one thing is sure, the battle royale for Rajkot is still wide open, and it will be a low-margin win for anyone.
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