The Koli conundrum

Despite a significant presence in Saurashtra, the Koli community has never been much of a bait for political parties...

Despite a significant presence in Saurashtra, the Koli community has never been much of a bait for political parties mainly because of the assured vote pockets. It has taken two girls to alter the equations this time. After the much publicised rape and murder of two girls from the community in May, the Kolis are an irate lot and could hold many a political fate in balance.

Eyeing the benefits that could accrue from the situation, both the Congress and the BJP have fielded Koli candidates in 12 of the 20 constituencies in Saurashtra. While the Congress has increased its Koli candidates by three compared to the previous elections, the BJP has included four more Kolis. The Kolis have six sub-castes8212;Thakore, Tarpada, Chavadli, Ghedia, Katparia and Kharwa8212;and make up for 18 lakh voters in eight districts of the Saurashta-Kutch region. With the entire community ranged against the BJP, it8217;s no wonder that the party is beginning to feel the heat.

The community is peeved at the BJP Government for 8220;not doing enough8221; to nab the culprits. Chandni, a teenager from Rajkot was murdered on Datar Hill, a pilgrim centre in Junagadh district, while her friend from Jamangar was raped. The incident created a furore in the community, which held protests for nearly two months due to the delay in the arrest of the accused. It snowballed into a controversy, forcing Koli leader and Minister of State for Fisheries Purshottam Solanki to resign to show solidarity with the community. Later, he 8220;withdrew when Koli leaders persuaded him to do so8221;.

8220;We cannot forget what happened to Chandni and her friend, and the accused are still at large. In this election, it is the main concern for us,8221; said Jivan Koli, a resident of Jasdan and a Koli leader, a seat dominated by the community in Rajkot district.

The case has also had BJP dissidents like Surendranagar MP Soma Patel to publicly launch an anti-Modi campaign. Branding it a law-and-order failure on the part of the Modi Government, Patel, a prominent Koli leader, joined hands with other party dissidents and the Congress to organise anti-Modi meetings at talukas across the Suarashtra-Kutch region.

The coastal belt in three districts, including Bhavnagar, Amreli, Junagadh and parts of Surendranagar, has a large number of Koli voters. The fact that Chandhi hailed from Rajkot her friend from Jamnagar and the incident took place in Junagadh, has had the Koli voters in these districts charged up. Given the fact the Patel voters are unhappy with the Modi Government following the ill treatment meted out to Keshubhai Patel, the support of Kolis is crucial for both the BJP and Congress.

The Congress has exploited the situation well by giving tickets to Koli leaders who led the agitation. Even AICC President Sonia Gandhi raised the issue in her speech at Jasdan. 8220;If you do not want to see another Chandi, vote for the Congress,8221; she said.

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Meanwhile, Narendra Modi has maintained silence, relying on Solanki for damage control. 8220;I was ready to step down as minister. My people know this and they are with the BJP,8221; said Solanki. The confidence could be misleading.