Ahead of picking candidates, BJP observers begin constituency visit to gauge ‘local mood’

Observers Gautam Gediya, Jagdish Panchal and Jayshree Desai met leaders of Chhota Udepur, Jetpur, Sankheda, Halol, Dabhoi, Padra and Nandod Assembly seats that make up the Chhota Udepur Lok Sabha seat. While 26 aspirants, including former Nandod MLA Shabdasharan Tadvi, is also said to have expressed their desire to contest from Chhota Udepur in the upcoming polls, the cadre said it was ‘disheartened’ at the prospect of the party choosing Naran Rathwa or Sangramsinh Rathwa as the candidate in the upcoming polls.

“It is true that the sentiments of the local leaders may be hurt at the possibility of others being chosen as candidates but it had happened in the 2022 Assembly polls when Rajendrasinh Rathava (son of 10-term Congress MLA Mohansinh Rathava, who switched over to the BJP) was chosen as a candidate. The entire unit of the party did work for him to ensure his win… In the BJP, we work for the lotus symbol and not for an individual. So, even if they are disappointed now, it will fall into place,” former Lok Sabha MP Ramsinh Rathwa expressed confidence.

He highlighted that the Rajya Sabha MP’s entry meant that it is the end of the “triple strength” — Naran Rathwa, Mohansinh Rathava and Sukhram Rathva — that the Congress boasted of in the tribal district. “When I had defeated Naran Rathwa (in 2009 LS polls), it was the beginning of the end of their triple strength. Today, I am glad it has completely ended for the Congress in Chhota Udepur… So far, Naran Rathwa and I were facing each other, now we will work together for the party,” he added.

In Surat, Minaxi Patel, Jaysinh Chauhan and Dilip Thakor assessed the situation Monday. Among the prominent aspirants for the Surat seat are former Surat city BJP president Nitin Bhajiyawala, who also sought a ticket in the 2022 Assembly election from Surat; Dhiru Gajera, who had switched over to the Congress and unsuccessfully fought the Assembly polls thrice before returning to the BJP last year; Surat city BJP general secretary Mukesh Dalal, former mayor Dr Jagdish Patel, former mayor Ajay Choksi, and BJP leader Kalubhai Bhimnath.

Similarly, three observers — Rajya Sabha BJP MP Babu Desai, Vadodara BJP MLA Manisha Vakil and BJP Scheduled Tribe Morcha president Arjun Chaudhary — were in Navsari to meet local leaders. While it is learnt that sitting Navsari MP and BJP state chief C. R. Paatil’s candidature was suggested, sources said there was also a representation made to give the ticket to a Koli candidate this time.

In Vadodara, observers Bhupendra Shah, Prafful Pansheriya and Bhavna Dave arrived to meet local leaders in Sayajigunj. Among those who are believed to have expressed their aspiration include former MP Jaya Thakkar, sitting two-term MP Ranjan Bhatt, Vadodara city unit President Dr Vijay Shah, former Gujarat Assembly Speaker Rajendra Trivedi, former Mayor Jyoti Pandya, MLA Ketan Inamdar as well as District Congress President Satish Patel.

“It is usual for the BJP to send observers to get a sense and understand who has support and who is popular among the local cadre… Those people, who have aspirations, have appeared before the observers. Leaders, who meet the observers, could be speaking for themselves or another leader they support. We do not have information on which leaders have expressed their desire for a ticket,” said Vijay Shah.