Vadodara, the cultural city of Gujarat, has a typical pattern of politics and is believed to be an invincible fort of BJP. After delimitation, it has five seats and all five had gone to BJP in the in 2012 polls which were held for the first time after the realignment. Congress has been in opposition in civic body polls since long, and no caste equation dominates here as the city has the mixed population of upper caste, OBC, SC, ST, minorities and others.
Besides Gujarati, Maharashtrian community also lives in Vadodara for centuries as the princely state Baroda was ruled by Gaekwad dynasty. However, the Hindu-Muslim rivalry becomes evident many times in a year and many pockets are categorised as sensitive. The communal clashes are more often inspired by political rivalry and that is why the politics in Vadodara is peculiar in nature. Amidst this, BJP has successfully retained the position here.
Even in local government body, BJP has been exceling. It was only once, a third party came to power in Vadodara Municipal Corporation and that was Savdhan Party formed by former IPS officer Jaspal Singh. Later, Singh also joined BJP and then elected as MLA thrice from Sayajigunj seat in 1990, 1995 and 1998 polls.
This time Rajesh Ayre, former BJP leader has been posing challenge on the same seat as his party has good hold over the poor community and Maharashtrian voters. However, this could worry both Congress and BJP as polarisation of votes does not have fix design giving benefit to any of the two parties.
Besides, Sayajigunj, there are other four seats: Vadodara city, Akota, Raopura and Manjalpur. The Congress has been trying to raise the local issues and the ordeals citizens of Vadodara passed through and that was bad roads, water logging during monsoon, and lack of cleanliness.
The vice-president of Congress, Maulin Vaishnav said, "Vadodara seems BJP's fort but there are local issues that people of this city are reeling under. We have tried to raise these issues in Vadodara this time."
The MP of Vadodara and city BJP president, Ranjan Bhatt said, "There is no impact of agitation here and all Patel voters from North Gujarat, Saurasthra and Central Gujarat are with BJP. The local government body ruled by BJP has made many developmental work and people are happy. Booth level workers are easily approachable. That is why we are confident that all five seats will be of BJP again."
