Caste has always been important in Gujarat’s electoral politics. Now, with several social groups speaking up for their rights and against perceived injustices, caste equations have infused uncertainty into the 2017 Assembly elections.
THERE IS AN EXCITEMENT AND ENERGY IN Gujarat that was not seen in the past Assembly elections. The difference this time appears to be the heightened political activism of communities that may play a critical role in deciding the fate of the two national parties contesting the elections. Patidars (Patels), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Dalits appear to be setting the agenda, and this might override all other factors. They all appear determined to dethrone the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has repeatedly let them down for two decades.
The BJP and the Congress have been speaking about jobs and development during their campaigns, but closer to election day it seems to be boiling down to caste politics. The Patidar agitation over the past two years and the horrific atrocities against Dalits have spurred young leaders of these communities to raise their voices and make their demands heard. No such voices were heard in 2012.
Political analysts see a shift from communal polarisation to fragmentation on caste lines. “The BJP has been in power since 1998. They came on the plank of Hindu unity. We are seeing that unity disintegrate in this election,” said Achyut Yagnik, a political commentator and founder of the Centre for Social Knowledge and Action in Ahmedabad. “The difference is that in 2014 the Patidars were the backbone of the BJP. Today, a good percentage of them are backing Hardik Patel, who is vowing to bring them down.”
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