VADODARA, JULY 27: Elected representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and workers of closed or closing industrial units have worked out a mutually-beneficial scheme. The lawmakers dole out bucketfuls of promises to improve the lot of workers, who repay the munificence by ensuring large attendance at party functions. Groups of workers can easily be seen in the hired audience - a Congress trademark - and are brought in trucks from slums.The arrangement has worked out in favour of both, but it is politicians who have benefited greatly. The association began with the industrial downturn when the party was not in power - neither at the Centre nor in Gujarat - and continues when it has captured both.Workers think representatives are the ones who will solve their problems. The official letterhead on which the politicians make their representations to government agencies is all it takes for workers to take them seriously.What began with closure of units solidified with the government making clear its intention to privatise some of the loss-making units in Vadodara. When Petrofils, which employs hundreds of workers, closed down, MP Jayaben Thakkar held a meeting with workers at a trade union office in Gayatri Chambers near the Vadodara railway station.Aadhi roti khayenge, Petrofils bachayenge,'' she shouted in chorus with workers. When an MP was taking up their cause, they were naturally expected to be seen in a public meeting, she said later. The unit is still closed, but workers are hoping against hope that the unit may be revived.Gujarat Communication and Electronics Limited (GCEL), the second company in Gujarat where the state government is all set to shed its stake in favour of a private company, is another example where workers fed on promises turn up regularly at party functions.They came handy when the Chief Minister was in town a few months ago. United employees of GCEL Union office-bearers were even seen addressing election meetings organised in support of Thakkar. In fact, a couple of her campaign meetings were held right in front of GCEL door, a union member confided.The workers gained by getting postponed the Government's plan to hand over GCEL's reins to a company they thought had a bad track record. The State Government had to invite bids all over again giving workers breathing time.It was not so beneficial for Gujarat Tractor Corporation Limited (GTCL), the first company to be privatised in the State, employees who stopped knocking on elected representatives' doors when privatisation became a fait accompli. A worker said, ``They do suggest but it's not compulsory for us to attend meetings.'' But trade unions said ``it's a known fact. Those who voted for them are now without jobs but are getting plenty of promises. They were organised before approaching politicians, now they are disorganised.''The BJP MLA from Raopura is dismissive. ``I have never invited any worker to attend my meetings.'' He, however, added a rider. ``Those who believe in the party ideology come, but we never force anybody.''Former Congress MP Satyajit Gaekwad is too happy to comment on what he calls ``inhuman approach.'' The local representatives have been taking workers for a ride for they are simply in no position to reverse the path charted by the BJP at the national level, he added. ``We have also taken up cudgels for workers, but never used them,'' he claimed.Workers are beginning to get bitter about the exercise.``We are already feeling frustrated. As a last resort we may approach the Opposition,'' a trade union member remarked. The BJP promised to remove ``bhay, bhookh and bhrashtachar but have given us bekari and behali.''
