AHMEDABAD: It was a fiercely fought battle for Gujarat Assembly elections. Early trends gave the Congress a narrow lead giving it a hope to be able to win Gujarat from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP, however, took the lead again and went past the magic number of 92. The stage is now set for BJP to rule Gujarat for the sixth time.
The Congress lost the numbers but has not lost the overall battle. On a personal level, the close fight in Narendra Modi's homestate is a huge victory for Rahul Gandhi who took charge of the Congress just two days ahead of the much-awaited results.
Unlike previous times, Rahul led the Congress campaign in Gujarat from the front. He spent months meeting people, interacting with them, holding rallies across the length and breadth of the state.
He caught the nerve of voters by joining hands with Patidar leader Hardik Patel, OBC leader Alpesh Thakor and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani. Together with these three young leaders, Rahul tried to build one big opposition against the ruling BJP.
Experts say it was Rahul's fierce campaigning that forced Modi to get back to the ground and travel 28,000 kms to save the day for BJP. Modi held rallies, went to temples and gave a high to the poll campaign by using a seaplane.
BJP has been ruling the state for 22 years. Anti-incumbency could have also been a major factor for the voters to move towards the Congress. Many say the party has developed a sense of arrogance being in power for over two decades. But keeping their differences aside, the same people have now reposed their faith in BJP for the next five years.
The BJP has been able to retain Gujarat, giving a huge of relief to Modi and party chief Amit Shah. A loss in their homestate would have been detrimental, especially as these polls come just two years ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
It is BJP's day to celebrate but all is not lost for Congress too. The jitters that Congress was able to give to the BJP with the close fight is indeed a welcome gift for Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
