Civic poll washout jolts Gujarat BJP

In other local bodies also, the BJP could win only 11 of the 34 by-elections. Most of the other seats went to Congress-supported Independents. Only last week, the BJP had lost ground in the Panchayat by-polls in Saurashtra and Kutch regions, where the Congress won 26 of the 51 seats. The BJP won 20 seats, Independents three and Janata Dal two.

Incidentally, Saurashtra and Kutch are regarded BJP strongholds. The party suffered particularly humiliating defeats in Jamnagar and Ahmedabad. While one ofits two candidates in Jamnagar lost his deposit, its candidate in the lone Saijpur ward polls in Ahmedabad was beaten to third place by Congress and Rashtriya Janata Party candidates.

Leadership bias for hardliners: “The incorrigible hardliners in the state BJP are to be blamed for the severe drubbing the party has received in Panchayat as well as municipal corporations by-elections,” observes a senior BJP leader bitterly. The results have rattled the BJP leadership in the state as the outcome shows a clear indication that the saffron popular image has started eroding. “The party will continue to suffer, if corrective measures are not taken on a war footing,” the minister warns.

Reacting to the results, the minister said, “It is high time that the BJP leadership restrains the arrogant and autocratic brigade of hawks ruling the roost both in the organisational and executive wings of the party — it should give due importance to grassroots workers.”

Another senior member, considered a moderate inthe BJP ministry, said,“It is unfortunate that the party has suffered reverses in the by-elections, notwithstanding the overwhelming mandate given in its favour by the people of Gujarat in the last Assembly and Parliamentary polls. The party leadership will have to do some introspection and chalk out a foolproof strategy to prevent the rot.”

Meanwhile, Congress leader of the Opposition Amarsinh Chaudhary is buoyed by the outcome of the by-polls: “The people of the state have started feeling disenchanted with the ruling BJP, for the government has not only failed to check the rising prices, but has also made a mess of the administration.”