The sadhus were around during the 2002 elections and they have made their presence felt this time as well. The only difference is that they have shifted camp.

Last election their aggressive campaigning won quite a few votes for the BJP. But this year the BJP had to go without their help. While quite a few sadhus have lent their support to Uma Bharti’s Bhartiya Jan Shakti Party (BJS), it is not unusual to find a number of them accompanying Congress candidates, especially in rural constituencies. This has got the BJP rank worried, especially in central Gujarat.

In Vadodara’s Savli constituency, Congress candidate Khumansinh Chauhan moves around with a sadhu while holding meetings with voters. In neighbouring Pavi Jetpur, Mohansinh Rathwa, the veteran Congressman who could not win for the eighth consecutive time in 2002, had the rebel saint brigade blessing him. They even held a puja for him at his home.

The split in the sadhu ranks and the consequent shift of affection has not happened overnight. This story of disenchantment has been developing over the past year. With a number of sadhus being arrested in the state on one charge or the other in the past year, the split was inevitable. Capitalising on the disillusionment, competitive Hindutva has taken to the roads, spearheaded by Avichaldasji Maharaj of Sarsa from central Gujarat. The sadhu brigade has been venting ire on the Modi government for “misusing” them in the 2002 polls and some have even been talking about the Ram Mandir.

... contd.