THE SAFFRON ONSLAUGHT

With PM Modi's shining armour as their beacon, the BJP seems poised to sweep the state again. Inflation matters, voices asking for jobs are lost in the Opposition vacuum

- Jumana Shah

Gujarati asmita (pride) is by now a given in Gujarat, and continues to dominate the political narrative as popular son of the state Narendra Modi seeks the mandate for a third term as India's prime minister. The state votes on May 7, but pride in their identity will not be the only guiding concern of the 49.2 million voters this time. Across the towns and villages, the chorus is all about unemployment, question paper leaks in recruitment exams and inflation. Of course, this by no means diminishes Modi's popularity, nor will it throw up a surprise in the vote.