What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
VADODARA: In the heartland of Gujarat, which echoes the past victories of BJP and promises of the future, lies Vadodara, a city steeped in history, politics, and cricket. As The New Indian team makes its way from Ahmedabad, through Anand, to Vadodara, the first place it stops was at The Vivantha House, the residence of cricket sensation Hardik Pandya.
Neighboring Pandya’s residence, Kishore Matai, a CBI officer, said, “Definitely Narendra Modi will win; he has managed things well and ensured steady progress. Though the pace may be slow, the destination is clear: progress, development, and security.”
An elderly voter, Manju Matai while recalling the Godhra train massacre and Gujarat riots, collects the memories from her time living there and expresses her blind faith in Modi. She said, “The best thing Modi did was against the Muslim community; he banned their residency there. After the Gujarat riots, Modi became famous. ‘Modi hai to mumkin hai,’ as they say.”
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Adding further, she said, “It’s not that BJP is best at everything; it also has its disadvantages. But definitely, Modi is better than that dunce (Rahul Gandhi). He elevated Gujarat since 2001; the Statue of Unity is worth watching. We can never imagine Congress doing anything like that. It has brought progress and development, like the Sukh-sagar lake. If we could, I would suggest people donate 24 hours of their life to Modi so he could do something for the country.”
On being asked about her kids, she underscored the problems of reservation in the country and said, “I sent my children to the US because of reservations; at least they can earn there in dollars. Despite her promises of life-time membership to Modi, she also critisised the previous MP of Vadodara Ranjan Bhatt, she said, “Ranjan Ben Bhatt (BJP) was the worst MP, I will vote for NOTA if she fights again.”
For Dheerendra Gajjar, a civil engineer, the choice is clear, that is, BJP, he said, “Modi brought development like in gas pipelines and roads.” The first-time voters, Pathin Desai and Siddharth Bari add to the voice of support for the BJP. While Desai lists “Infrastructure, startup funds,” as the major developments he noticed during the tenure of BJP, Sidhharth also chooses “Modi over Rahul Gandhi.”
The Vadodara constituency, along with 24 other constituencies, is set to witness polls on Tuesday, May 7. The unexpected BJP candidate, Hemang Yogesh Chandra Joshi, who serves as the vice chairman of the school board of Vadodara Municipal Corporation, is pitted against INC’s Jashpal Singh Padhiyar, who identifies himself as a farmer. Joshi was nominated after the sitting MP Ranjan Ben Bhatt withdrew her nomination despite renomination from the party.
