India

Two States: Namo vs Raga in the upcoming 2017 elections in Himachal and Gujarat

Two States: Namo vs Raga in the upcoming 2017 elections in Himachal and Gujarat

Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat assembly elections are round the corner and India’s leading political parties are all set to compete with each other for attaining power in the Himachal and Gujrat. Both parties have put hard efforts to win the confidence of the public for the 2017 election. All the top leaders of BJP including Prime Minister of India Campaigned for their party in Himachal and Gujarat, In contrast, no congress senior leaders appeared in public meetings in Himachal and left everything on fate. Only Rahul Gandhi looked active in public meetings and campaign outings.

Once again, electrifying campaign from BJP certainly out shadows Congress in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. Whether it was the leadership or a humongous money spending would be a good point for introspection post the upcoming state elections. Assembly elections in Himachal going to held on 9th November and in Gujarat, the elections will start from 9th December until 18th December.

There are multiple factors which can swing the winning pendulum in the current neck to neck competition between two major stake holders, BJP and Congress. Here are those.

Factors Favoring Congress in Gujarat and Himachal Elections 2017

The Congress has their own reasons for winning the elections. Alliance of Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor, and  Jignesh Mevani has turned the caste calculus in the congress’s favor. The shifting of caste calculus, support from Patidar community, increasing anger from small and middle business class against the mismanagement and double blows of Demonetization and GST, increase in joblessness among youth and helplessness among the weaker sections of society, could give the Congress a thumbs-up ahead of the Gujarat Assembly election.

In Himachal, things seems no different from Gujarat. Himachal is also facing the consequences of GST and increased unemployment rate. The aggressive campaigning by Rahul Gandhi can give a tough fight to BJP in Himachal Elections

Factors against Congress in Gujarat and Himachal Elections 2017

It has been more then a decade for Congress of being out from power which weakened the party in Gujarat immensly. It also highlights a lack of credible and acceptable leadership in the state can turn the game into BJP’s favor. The caste politics also has little to no scope in Gujarat’s election if we look at the past record of the state. Taking cues in 2012, Keshubhai tried playing the cast card. So Congress relying on cast calculus in 2017 might play against them.

Factors Supporting BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Elections 2017

Their are various factors which can lead BJP to attain power in Himachal and Gujarat. Factors favoring results for BJP includes , the corruption charges again the CM Virbhadhar Singh, Gudia Rape case in Shimla provoked anger in youth and local public in Himachal Pradesh, alleged cases of land mafia during Congress rule by opposition, Goodwill factor and Image of Prime Minister Modi , electrified campaigning of BJP senior leaders and on Social media platform, Manifesto of the party to target youth and providing job opportunities to the youth are the factors which makes the voters to think about for an option in the upcoming elections in the state.

Page Pramukh” concept of BJP in Gujarat where a party person is made responsible for a list of voters assigned to him and every pramukh is supposed to reach out to these voters and convince them into becoming a party supporter. In this way, the party has strengthened their organization at grass root level. and there is no denying the fact that the Modi factor can turn the tide in the party’s favor. But lately it seems, Prime Minister has to do more than Mann ki Baat to convince the voters in the upcoming election in the states.

Factors against BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Elections 2017

Aggressive campaigning by Rahul Gandhi. The shifting of caste calculus, support from Patidar community, increasing anger from small and middle business class against the mismanagement and double blows of Demonetization and GST, increased joblessness among youth and helplessness among the weaker sections of society, could give the Congress prolific support and advantage in upcoming elections state elections.

About the author

Ashish Sharma

Ashish is a techie who is a finance and stocks hobbyist. He loves to contribute and create awareness by writing on business and finance