#IndiaDecidesOn18th: Hardik-Jignesh-Alpesh trio saves the day for Congress!
Congress's alliance with the trio of Patidar quota leader Hardik Patel, Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani and OBC activist Alpesh Thakor allowed it to give BJP a tough fight. Even as BJP cruises to a comfortable win, these elections are crucial because a new rung of popular leaders have emerged on the scene. Is the trio's popularity responsible for Congress's respectable performance? Here's more.
Why did Congress align with them?
In a bid to wrest power from the ruling BJP, Congress got on-board most of BJP's adversaries. To wean away Patidars from BJP, whom they traditionally support, Congress wooed 24-year-old Hardik. Through a 2015 agitation, the young turk had mobilized Patels to demand reservations in jobs and education. To continue its hold over Dalits and OBCs, Congress aligned with Jignesh and Alpesh, respectively.
What were the issues that needed to be ironed out?
To begin with, it was not easy to stitch the alliance. For instance, Hardik's and Alpesh's interests clashed. Even as Hardik was demanding inclusion into the 27% OBC quota, Alpesh was trying to defend the existing quota. Congress and Patels also found it difficult to decide on the Patidar reservation formula. Meanwhile, Jignesh contested as an independent candidate but with Congress's tacit support.
Jignesh and Alpesh win Vadgam and Radhanpur for Congress
Jignesh and Alpesh delivered on their promise. Not only did they win the seats that they contested from, they also managed to pull in votes from the communities they represented. Alpesh defeated Congress defector Lavingji Thakor. He came to limelight through the Ekta Manch that mobilized SCs, STs and OBCs. Similarly, Jignesh registered his maiden victory over BJP's Vijaykumar Harkhabhai Chakravarti in Vadgam.
Hardik emerges as a foremost Patidar leader
Ironically, Hardik, who may have affected the Gujarat polls' outcome, is too young to contest. Since the Patidar agitation in 2015, the ruling BJP has tried to corner Hardik through arrest, sedition and sex tapes. However, unfazed, Hardik has travelled across Gujarat, mobilizing Patidars. Though Gujarat deputy CM Nitin Patel and BJP state chief Jitu Vaghani won, Hardik's popularity made it a tough victory.
Meanwhile, Congress heavyweights lost to BJP candidates
Even as Jignesh and Alpesh registered wins, Congress heavyweights like Shaktisinh Gohil and Arjun Modhwadia put up a dismal show. This might be because, unlike Jignesh, Alpesh and Hardik, who were reaching out to the masses and mobilizing support, these candidates relied heavily on Congress VP Rahul Gandhi's charisma to draw in votes. This disconnect with the audience's pulse may have cost them.
What does this mean for Gujarat politics?
Considering the results, BJP may have struggled to reach the half-way mark had it not been for PM Narendra Modi's 41+ rallies, appealing to Gujarati "asmita." Meanwhile, Congress went to polls without any prominent face in the state. However, with Hardik, Alpesh and Jignesh proving their mettle, of drawing community votes, Congress might have the chance to reinvent itself in the western state.
