Tension, political excitement palpable at Modi's hometown

Vadnagar (Gujarat), Dec 11: With simmering anger of the Patidar community over reservation issue and also of the trading community over GST - can Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home town be away from all that and vote yet again for BJP?

Falling under Unjha Assembly segment in North Gujarat, Vadnagar is a known BJP citadel, more so - because of the 'Modi magic'.But nothing is permanent except change. It is more so in electoral politics. Therefore, tension, more so in BJP camp and the political excitement is palpable at Modi's hometown too.
Prime Minister was born in this small township - which would have otherwise made name as one of the historical towns with numerous Shiva shrines including the 15th-century Hatkeshver Mahadev temple and Daaneshwar Mahadev Temple. Patidars here revere a popular Umiya Dham temple also.
"The Modi magic will prevail in Vadnagar and also in adjoining areas in Unjha Assembly constituency. In all these pockets in and around Molipur, Sulipur, Kesimpa, Jagapura and Bajpura under Unjha Assembly, people will vote for BJP," says Umesh Patel, a businessman.
To many in Vadnagar or even in other talukas under this assembly segment, the BJP represents a "lethal combination of Hindutva, national security and development" and hence the refrain being: no other issue will prevail. 
Thirty-five year old Jeevan Patel says he was in Mahesana district in 2015 when all actions of Patidar community for reservation started. "We all are sympathetic to the demand of the Patidar leaders. But when it comes to Vadnagar and appreciating our sentiment for Narendra Modi, we also see him as a great Hindu leader. 
This will be important at the end of the day," he says.
Hence the BJP workers too here exude confidence that Unjha seat will remain with the saffron outfit.
In fact, the party has yet again fielded Narayanbhai Patel, the head of Umiya Dham temple, revered by the
Patels too.
"Narayanbhai's love and affection for Unjha constituency is legendary and is associated with BJP's rise in Gujarat.
He has been winning the seat since 1995. He represented this segment five times in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2007 and
2012. No one can stop him making it again," says Amal Chavda, an auto rickshaw driver.
Likes of Chavda says the constituency and Vadnagar township are regularly witnessing changes in terms of development."It is no more just a historical town or a place where Modi was born. It is fastest growing tourism destination in North Gujarat. Roads connecting it with Mahesana and Ahmedabad are here for you to see. Our magnificent Sharmistha Lake has a small island like place. The government is developing this island into a beautiful garden. Other tourism attractions are also being renovated constantly," he says.
To a question, he further says, "even without election season, visitors from Surat, Mumbai and Jaipur and other Rajasthan towns come here. Nowadays, we auto rickhshaw drivers can make good income easily from visitors by taking them around the town".He too says, Congress candidate Ashaben Dwarkadas can hardly give BJP veteran a fight.
However, there are some sections in the society who are skeptical and these could be actually only an indicative of the mood in other parts of the state. This region will go to the polls on December 14. 
"The BJP has ruled for 22 years. May be there is a need for change in government in Gandhinagar," says Rameshbhai Valia, a bank employee. But he too hastens to add that the saffron party stands firm "on its feet in Vadnagar and Unjha Assembly segment".
But all said and done - the story may not be all that cakewalk for BJP in other adjoining constituencies.
In Mahesana Assembly segment, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel is said to be facing a stiff competition from Jivabhai Patel.
The 78-year-old Jivabhai Patel is banking on the 'fallout' of Patidar movement because it was here Patidar community borne the brunt of their protest in 2015. He is also making 'lack of development' in Mehsana a poll issue - of course much to the discomfort of BJP as the saffron party has been winning the seat for six terms.
In nearby Visnagar Assembly, Congress nominee Mahendrakumar Patel is also likely to give a tough fight to two-term sitting BJP legislator Rushikesh Patel. In another seat, Vijapur, the Congress is said to be comfortable as its nominee had won the 2012 polls braving the strong 'pro-Modi wave'.
In the reserved seat of Kadi too, Congress has fielded its sitting member Rameshbhai Maganbhai Chavda, who had won 2012 polls by a margin of 1217 votes. 
Similarly in seats like Mansa and Bechraji too, BJP's internal assessment is they could face tough fight.
What has come worrying for BJP is unlike past - when strong Hindutva sentiment or 'pro-Mod' wave prevailed - after long time the caste arithmetic is in debate.
The Thakore or Kshatriya votes are almost reserved for the Congress and this time smaller caste groups falling under OBC could tilt towards the Congress. Moreover, the Patidar anguish is a major issue in this region.
However, the saffron party booth managers in Mahesana district says the party would get the support of Malis, Brahmans,Prajapatis and a sizeable section of Chaudharys. UNI