Despite giving the BJP crucial seats in 2002, the region is not represented in the Modi Cabinet. A fact that rebel BJP leader Nalin Bhatt, who is now with the BSP, never tires of repeating. “The BJP did a great injustice to Central Gujarat which gave it a great victory in 2002,” he alleges.

The BJP, meanwhile, can count on continued support from the voters of Vadodara city and from the Patels of Charotar region—the NRIs who belong to this region have sent the party a steady flow of dollars and over the years have invited Modi to the UK and the US a couple of times.

“Things have changed in the last five years. In rural areas it will be the candidates who matter, but the BJP can be assured of support from the towns and cities,” says Harbans Patel, a retired professor of political science in Anand.

The BJP too realises it can’t take votes for granted any more. “Gujarat is a pro-BJP state but things have changed very quickly in the past six months. But it is true that more than the party, it’s Modi who is our trump card,” said a BJP leader in Vadodara.

The Congress, meanwhile, is not saying much. “Let the results speak for themselves. Right now we don’t want to say anything except that we are working to win the polls,” says Bharat Solanki. Unfazed by the personal attack on him and with the support of the party, Solanki is busy making public appearances, something the BJP had not anticipated.

... contd.