As Bilkis Bano goes to SC, BJP Godhra MLA keeps out any reference in his campaign

C K Raulji, who was renominated despite his low 2017 margin, was part of the panel that released her convicts; is busy Wednesday preparing for PM Modi's rally

Godhra MLA Chandrasinh Raulji has been sticking to the BJP's strategy -- not to bring up the Bilkis Bano case. (Express Photos by Bhupendra Rana and Nirmal Harindran)

On a day that Bilkis Bano filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the remission of the life sentence awarded to 11 people convicted for gangraping her and killing her family members, including her three-year-old daughter, Godhra MLA Chandrasinh Raulji was in the midst of a hectic campaign schedule.

Raulji, who was part of the Jail Advisory Committee (JAC) that was instrumental in the early release of the 11, is seeking a sixth term from Godhra. He spent Wednesday preparing along with other BJP leaders to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is arriving in Vejalpur in Kalol taluka Thursday for campaigning.

Raulji, 68, has been sticking to the party’s strategy in the villages of his constituency, a mix of tribals and OBCs. And that is, not to bring up the Bilkis Bano case, one of the incidents of violence in the 2002 riots. He speaks about the “development” of tribals under Modi as Chief Minister of Gujarat, the setting up of a National Commission for OBCs by the Modi government at the Centre, its schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, and emphasises repeatedly about the BJP’s “trustworthy governance”.

Even as Raulji’s phone rings incessantly Wednesday after news breaks of the appeal filed by Bilkis in the Supreme Court, he steers clear of it. He does not want to delve into the subject, he says, and maintains that his stand in the JAC was “as per rules”. “What the JAC recommended was as per the remission policy of the state,” he says, warding off further queries citing his “hectic day”.

As villagers in Kaliyavav, Asadi and other pit stops on the way, led by BJP workers, gather to welcome him, Raulji seeks their blessings “for the party that is led by PM Modi”, and promises that “the double-engine government (of the BJP at the Centre and in state)” will take care of every concern of the people.

Raulji, who won by the second-lowest margin of 258 votes in 2017, is clearly hoping the Modi name will help him surge ahead. On Tuesday, he had taken a backseat during the Yogi Adityanath rally for him in Godhra. Asserting that he will win by a higher margin this time, Raulji says: “There is no doubt the party has the complete support of the people of Godhra… Those who believe in the ideology of the BJP will always vote for the BJP. Those who do not believe in the ideology — which is inclusive development for all — may vote for some others, who are enticing voters with many promises. But the fact remains that on the ground, it is the BJP workers and the government that work for the people.”

However, while Raulji does not face rebel leaders this time, a local leader admits his selection left many unhappy, given his low margin of 2017, and dwindling margins even before that (including in 2007, 2012 for the Congress). The fight might be further complicated due to the caste angle. “The Congress has played its cards well by fielding an OBC candidate,” says the leader.

Aditi Raja

Aditi Raja is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, stationed in Vadodara, Gujarat, with over 20 years in the field. She has been reporting from the region of Central Gujarat and Narmada district for this newspaper since 2013, which establishes her as a highly Authoritative and Trustworthy source on regional politics, administration, and critical socio-economic and environmental issues. Expertise: Core Authority & Specialization: Her reporting is characterized by a comprehensive grasp of the complex factors shaping Central Gujarat, which comprises a vast tribal population, including: Politics and Administration: In-depth analysis of dynamics within factions of political parties and how it affects the affairs in the region, visits of national leaders making prominent statements, and government policy decisions impacting the population on ground. Crucial Regional Projects: She consistently reports on the socio-economic and political impact of infrastructure projects in the region, especially the Statue of Unity, the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail bullet train project as well as the National Highway infrastructure. Social Justice and Human Rights: Her reporting offers deep coverage of sensitive human-interest topics, including gender, crime, and tribal issues. Her reports cover legal proceedings from various district courts as well as the Gujarat High Court (e.g., the Bilkis Bano case remission, POCSO court orders, Public Interest Litigations), the plight of tribal communities, and broader social conflicts (e.g., Kheda flogging case). Local Impact & Disaster Reporting: Excels in documenting the immediate impact of events on communities, such as the political and civic fallout of the Vadodara floods, the subsequent public anger, and the long-delayed river redevelopment projects, Harni Boat Tragedy, Air India crash, bringing out a blend of stories from the investigations as well as human emotions. Special Interest Beat: She tracks incidents concerning Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRIs) including crime and legal battles abroad, issues of illegal immigration and deportations, as well as social events connecting the local Gujarati experience to the global diaspora. ... Read More