Poll bugle in Gujarat

Poll bugle in Gujarat, but the schedule of the assembly elections is yet to be announced by the Election Commission. Despite criticism by the opposition parties, which push the EC in the dock over the delay, no seriousness is visible. Opposition parties allege that EC has come under the influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by not announcing the Gujarat assembly election date along with Himachal Pradesh. It has been done to favour the ruling party there as the Oppn parties allege. Election Commission should now announce the date of elections immediately. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the single star election campaigner of BJP and Rahul Gandhi is the whole and sole of the opposition Congress party. Both have been addressing one rally after another to woo voters in the state. The Gujarat assembly elections are equally important for both BJP and Congress. This election is a test for BJP whether its popularity is intact or not and what is in store for it in 2019 while Congress has the opportunity to revive and get back its pre-imminent position in the state. BJP has been ruling Gujarat for the last 22 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi already served the state as its Chief Minister for 12 years before being elected as the Prime Minister of India. PM Modi also happens to be belonging to Gujarat. Gujarat is also PM's home state. With the rule in the state for 22 years without any interruption, BJP's base is on a sound foundation. But the reports pouring in from Gujarat clearly indicates that this time it is not going to be as easy as it used to be in the previous elections. Congress has been the main opposition party in the state. It has been out of power for the last 22 years. The wind this time is not favourably blowing in favour of the BJP. The small and middle-class business community is up in arms against BJP Govt. at the Centre over GST and demonetization. Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani is himself helplessness to pacify them. But PM Modi is still the BJP's star attraction in the Gujarat assembly elections. He is not only PM but also the face of BJP in the Gujarat assembly elections. It also appears from the gathering at his election meeting that the people are no longer as much enthusiastic in support of BJP as they used to be in previous elections. Congress is the main opposition party in the Gujarat assembly. It is trying its best to get back its pre-imminent position in the state. It is hobnobbing with the young Patidar leader Hardik Patel, OBC star campaigner Alpesh Thakor and the lawyer and SC/ ST voice in Gujarat Jignesh Mewani. OBC leader Alpesh Thakor has reportedly joined the Congress at the rally being addressed by Congress Vice- President Rahul Gandhi. Congress has reportedly sent feelers to Hardik Patel and Jignesh Mewani to join Congress. If all the three young faces of Gujarat- Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mewani and Alpesh Thakor- came together to support Congress in the assembly elections, the severe headache will certainly develop among BJP leaders. But the BJP's greatest mascot is none other than the PM. PM Modi has the charisma to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Before the announcement of the election date, both Congress and BJP are fighting each other to score a brownie point. The war of words between Congress and BJP is going on to the tune of war drums. Apart from Congress, AAP may contest in Gujarat elections, though it is going to be a non-entity. If the Modi magic failed to click in Gujarat, the assembly elections' results may give clear signal what is to come for the party in 2019 Lok Sabha elections.