Boost for BJP, consolation for Congress

With Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) registering a victory in Gujarat Assembly election with huge majority, speculations about the party and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's future have been put to rest to some extent.

As BJP has won 115 seats out of 182 in the state, its victory in Gujarat has negated Congress' little achievement in Himanchal. The experts believe that the BJP will be emboldened after this major victory.

Commenting on Modi's victory, senior journalist and political analyst Seem Mustafa said, "BJP's victory was clear from the beginning and there was not a question of Modi doing worst in Gujarat. There is a wave against Congress across the country and people are withering away from the party due to its wrong policies."

K G Suresh, a senior journalist, on the other hand, believes people of Gujarat have voted for Modi because they want to see him as prime minister.

BJP's hat-trick in Gujarat has once again given rise to the demands of making Modi as BJP's prime ministerial candidate in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, and has fueled the speculations of a Modi vs Rahul fight in 2014.

"Going by the results of all the assembly elections in 2012, next round of elections, both assembly elections in 2013 and Lok Sabha election in 2014, will see direct fight between the BJP and Congress. It will be a fight between two mascots, Narendra Modi of the NDA and Rahul Gandhi of the UPA," said Dr S K Dutta, a political analyst, while talking to TSI.

Reacting on the same, K G Suresh said, "There is no doubt that Rahul Gandhi will be the face of Congress in Lok Sabha election, but the BJP will have to take a call on Modi whether they want him to project as PM candidate."

"Modi's stature has grown after this election and he is now a strong contender for prime ministarial candidate from the BJP. However, it will not be easy for him, he will first have to tackle insiders in BJP and then his detractors outside," he added.

Though Congress has won in Himachal, it is only being treated as consolation for the party. Some of its important state leaders have tasted bitter defeat with huge margins. Couple of these include Shankarsinh Gohil and Arjun Modhwadia.

"Congress can only take small consolation with victory in Himachal and justify its policies at center," says a senior political journalist wishing not to be named.

Expressing similar thought K G Suresh said, "BJP has lost in Himachal due to anti-incumbency factor and Congress will project this as victory of its policies."

To BJP's and nation's surprise, one in four persons from minority community in Gujarat has voted for the BJP, according to initial election results.

"It can't be believed by this that people have forgotten 2002 violence, says K G Suresh. "They have voted for the BJP because they do not want to go against Modi under his rule," he added.

Another senior journalist on the other hand believes that it is because minorities are dithering away from the Congress, in UP they voted for the Samajwadi Party, in Bihar they voted for the Janta Dal United and in Gujarat, as they did not have any other option, they voted for BJP.

Finally the Keshubhai factor, which did not work wonders as it was expected by the media. He was able to make a slight dent but that could not stop BJP from getting clear majority. And with Modi meeting Former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, who launched his Gujarat Parivartan Party for this election, after being ensured of his victory, it can be expected that differences between them may die down soon.