Dynasty Watch

He's the second Sardar of Gujarat, his name prefixed with a Chhote'' in deference to the original Sardar, Vallabhbhai Patel. But five y...

He8217;s the second Sardar of Gujarat, his name prefixed with a 8220;Chhote8221; in deference to the original Sardar, Vallabhbhai Patel. But five years after former Congress chief minister Chimanbhai Patel died, Chhote Sardar8217;s name carries as much clout as it did when he was presiding over the 8220;industrial revolution8221; in the state. It is precisely that clout that his widow Urmilaben is now seeking to exploit as the Congress candidate from the Vadodara Lok Sabha constituency.

A former Union energy minister, Urmilaben had lost the battle for the Jamnagar Lok Sabha seat while Chimanbhai was chief minister. Soon afterwards, she had been elected to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat.

But, according to her supporters, the Jamnagar humiliation will not be repeated in Vadodara. The late chief minister still has a lot of goodwill in the constituency: it was his place of birth; he had an excellent rapport with the powerful builders8217; lobby; he cleared massive investments in the industrial area known as the Golden Corridor whichpasses through Vadodara; and his party still dominates the cooperative sector, which has deep roots in the constituency. Moreover, Chimanbhai was a champion of the Sardar Sarovar Project, a cause close to the hearts of most Gujaratis.

Then there are Urmilaben8217;s own roots. Born in Vadodara district, she was initiated into student politics while doing her post-graduation from M S University. She also claims to be associated with several local voluntary organisations. But in the villages of the constituency, it is not her doctoral degree in sociology that carries weight, only that she was Chimanbhai8217;s wife.

Urmilaben, for that matter, is living up to the family image. While son Siddharth 8212; who won the Dabhoi Assembly seat in the Vadodara Lok Sabha constituency in 1998 8212; is a constant companion, daughter Sujata and youngest son Suhurd prefer remaining behind the scenes.

Well-wishers and supporters of the Patel family have landed in Vadodara from all over the state with a good word for Urmilaben. And nospeaker at a Congress rally fails to compare 8212; unfavourably, of course 8212; the current BJP reign with Chimanbhai8217;s.

But it remains to be seen if the goodwill translates into votes. The family, of course, makes no secret of its expectations, and where they originate from. 8220;The traditional Congress votes will remain with us but we expect more because of the Chimanbhai connection,8221; says a family member.

8212; NANDINI OZA