BJP’s Gujarat Fiasco

Prof N.K. Singh

Former Chairman International Airports Authority of India

In spite of losing one seat in Gujarat to Ahmad Patel, the BJP has done extremely well in capturing power in almost 18 states of India during last three years. It is a stellar performance and to great extent the credit for this goes to Amit Shah who masterminded electoral alliance and political intrigue. Bihar, Goa, Manipur and Assam where BJP had no majority, he succeeded in crafting alliances and capturing the power. The latest election in Gujarat, however, had some lessons to teach him how to grapple with formidable opponent. It also proved that no one is invincible in politics and time comes when even the most powerful people bite the dust.

* Patel won by one vote rather by a fraction if we count all the votes. Also if the JDU legislature had not voted against the whip, the seat was lost. The NCP too gave one vote and Patel won. It made Congress high command jubilant as after so many setbacks a major battle was won by them. But it shattered invincibility of Amit Shah.

No doubt, the Congress put in party’s entire might behind the win of Patel. Normally there would have been no problem for him to sail through as they commanded 50 votes but Amit Shah who had many a score to settle with Patel, was bent on putting a stopper on his smooth win. Shankar Singh Vaghela, a leader of Congress who had joined them after leaving the BJP proved the possible hope to usher in defeat of Ahmad Patel. So six Congress men left the party and assured to vote for the BJP. Vaghela in fact had been pleading with the Congress to care for these people who are likely to leave but as usual in Congress no one bothered about his reports. He attributes this omission to the hegemony of Ahmed Patel, who had virtually become czar of Gujarat Congress.

Never in the history of political elections, Rajya Sabha had held so much of suspense and unprecedented interest was aroused. People virtually woke up till late night some remained awake even up to early morning to know what happened to Ahmed Patel. It had become a cricket match between India and Pakistan on the edge. Ahmed Patel matched his rival Shah by collecting all his 44 MLAs and marching in Karnataka resort where they were kept for almost six days till the election. No doubt, they had gala time with dances and entertainment and no one seems to have escaped. This was necessary for the Congress due to bravado exhibited by the BJP that six people have left Congress and joined for voting in BJP candidate Rajput. He was also a defector but was offered balance votes of BJP that would have taken him to winning and Ahmed biting the dust.

All this could have been done quietly but the BJP was so overconfident that they openly indulged in snatch game that finally defeated their strategy. Not only this open skullduggery but even blatant disregard of rules where the defector showed their votes in favor of fourth candidate Balwant Sinh Rajput and this was caught on CCTV of election commission. This was known to all but the BJP was so overconfident that they failed to take precautions and were caught. Obviously, this was case for annulling the two votes which finally made Patel to win.

The Congress raised objection and were successful after night long battle in getting the votes cancelled. Patel won by one vote rather by a fraction if we count all the votes. Also if the JDU legislature had not voted against the whip, the seat was lost. The NCP too gave one vote and Patel won. It made Congress high command jubilant as after so many setbacks a major battle was won by them. But it shattered invincibility of Amit Shah. Usually no one bothered about Rajya Sabha elections as the results are known in advance in terms of party votes. This election became so fierce a battle and last ditch effort of the Congress to score a victory that entire country was watching the TV screens to know the results. To me, this election also proved the futility of Rajya Sabha as an institution. Of late, it had become just a bottleneck where bills could be blocked as the ruling party did not command majority. Many of its nominated members just used its privileges and contributed little. This election proved to me worse that once the ballot is shown to whip what is the secrecy left. It loses its secrecy and becomes open thing. Why then hold such election? It is high time that Constitution of India is amended and futile institutions like Rajya Sabha, Governors of states, Upper houses in states, and other such institutions are re-examined for their relevance and effectiveness.

Bus Stand

First Passenger: Why your neighbour’s son was shouting on father?

Second Passenger: Father told son whatever he is doing he should do 100%. And the son got angry as he was going to donate blood.

विवाह प्रस्ताव की तलाश कर रहे हैं ? भारत मैट्रीमोनी में निःशुल्क रजिस्टर करें !

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