Poll pitch: BJP, VHP plan Gujarat yatras

Indicating that early polls are likely in Gujarat, the BJP intends to organise a gaurav yatra (pride march) to propagate the "achievements" of the Modi government.

Pushing forward its Hindutva plank in the state, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad also plans to hold a "rath yatra" in its full grandeur on July 12. Though the Gujarat police authorities are not in favour of a rath yatra in view of the situation in the state, the VHP is yet to drop the idea, according to sources. They disclosed that the state government was of the view that the communal violence in the state has resulted in a "Hindu wave" and the party should take advantage of it at the earliest. Though the elections are slated for February next year, strategists in the Modi government are in favour of an early poll. They feel that Chief Minister Narendra Modi has become the "most popular leader among the Hindu community in the state and no time should be lost to take advantage of his popularity."

The so called gaurav yatra will travel all over the state and senior party leaders, including Mr. Modi, will visit each and every Assembly segment. The pride march will highlight the government’s achievements and hold the Godhra incident responsible for the communal violence in the state.

It was learnt that Mr. Modi, who was recently in Delhi for a Planning Commission meeting, had tried to convince Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Union home minister L.K. Advani of the need to go in for an early poll in Gujarat. Meanwhile, the BJP, which has now reverted back to its Hindutva ideology, is also in favour of testing it out in Gujarat. Mr. Modi, who has become the "Hindu mascot" in the state, has the complete backing of Mr. L.K. Advani.

Republished from The Asian Age