Muslims hide scars

But for the Muslims here, it isn8217;t as simple as that. They prefer not to say much and like in most other riot-affected constituencies, believe that it8217;s more important to exercise their right to vote. 8220;It is not about who is going to win8212;the Congress or the BJP. But the fact that we are part of the decision process makes us feel like citizens,8221; said a Muslim farmer in the area.

Like the rest of Kheda, Mehmedabad went the BJP way in 2002 when Sundarsinh Chauhan won from here. The seat has a mix of Kshatriyas, Other Backward Classes OBC and a fair sprinkling of Muslims. The Ghodsar case resulted in the first conviction in the post-Godhra riots.

The BJP8217;s Sundersinh Chauhan is believed to have good contacts in the constituency that is barely 40-odd kilometers from Ahmedabad. But Congress leaders believe that they could regain the Kshatriya votebank if they stay united.