Sardar Sarovar dam failed to check Saurashtra anguish against BJP

BJP surprisingly won in Surat, hub of traders despite being impacted by GST but lost miserably in Saurashtra region which will otherwise benefit from Sardar Sarovar dam, a principal showcase of Narendra Modi dispensation.

The Saurashtra region encompassing 11 districts made all the difference in this year's elections in Gujarat as out of the 16 seats loss for the saffron party - as against the 2012 tally - 13 of them came from Saurashtra region.

"Sadly, I lament that caste considerations prevailed. Otherwise, how can we we do so badly in terms of seats in Saurashtra region which will benefit from Sardar Sarovar dam that was almost sabotaged and delayed by Congress for years," a BJP office bearer in Gujarat unit told UNI.

In the process, the BJP, which had won 115 seats in 2012 under Narendra Modi as Chief Minister, failed to touch 100 seats psychological mark.

BJP's defeat came also in prestigious Somnath seat wherein Jasha Barad, the sitting BJP MLA and a minister,  was humbled by Congress nominee Vimal Chudasama.

The Congress successfully dislodged the BJP from Amreli district - winning all five seats. The Congress  also defeated the BJP nominees from three seats in neighbouring Gir Somnath district.

Riding on the support of Patidar movement and also encashing the distress of groundnut and cotton growers, the Congress could add seats around Amreli and also Somnath, Talala, and Kodinar to its kitty.

Four key seats of Dhari, Lathi, Savarkundla and Rajula seats in Amreli district also went to Congress.

Sitting Congress MLA Paresh Dhanani, who has able to retain the Amreli seat, could emerge a key Congress leader in Gujarat in the future especially in the wake of defeat of former stalwarts like Shaktisinh Gohil.

Known for his proximity to Rahul Gandhi, the 41-year-old Dhanani defeated BJP's Bavkubhai Undhad. 

Saurashtra region essentially posed a herculean task for the BJP as infighting, ineffective political management and of course the anguish against Goods and Service Tax have helped Congress campaign.

The cotton growers' anguish due to falling prices was another factor.

The Congress workers in Ahmedabad feel that Mr Dhanani may be a surprised winner and could be elected as Congress Legislature Party leader.

BJP also lost Dhari seat in Amreli district. Sources said the BJP nominee for Dhari - Dilip Singhani is a businessman and was unable to run the electoral machinery effectively.

Sitting Congress MLA from Una Punja Vansh retained his seat by defeating BJP's Hari Solanki.

Commenting on BJP performance, a BJP source further said, Gujarat victory is still laudable as it came braving several odds.

"Revolt by a dominant caste, 22 year incumbency leading to revival of opposition and absence of a performing local face in BJP were major factors. However, the fact that still BJP sailed through shows only the resilience of the Gujarat model and power of 'Modi magic'," he said.