Politillectual

The Gujarat elections proved to be much more engaging and competitive than expected, at least in the sense that the messaging and campaigning machinery of the BJP did not overwhelm all others. Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor, Jignesh Mewani and surprisingly even Rahul Gandhi presented a tough fight to BJP electioneering. Moreover, this was probably the first time that the Gujarat model of development has been challenged and gained wider traction among its usual audience of scholars and academics. What was different this time was that people on the ground such as farmers, Dalits, and allegedly even one of the BJP’s main bases, the traders and small businessmen have expressed dissatisfaction and questioned to some extent if the Gujarat model has actually delivered what it says it has. To some extent, the largely urban victories the BJP has managed should be a reason for pause for Amit Shah and Co., who would do well to work to recapture these seats the next time, or more crucially, in...