People at an election rally in Gujarat

HALOL: 35 km outside Vadodara is the town of Halol in Gujarat ’s Panchmahals district. It’s an OBC dominated BJP stronghold with about 15 per cent Muslims and along with the neighbouring town of Kalol, was one of the flashpoints of the 2002 riots. Today it falls in the GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation) SEZ zone and has several factories but residents complain about rampant unemployment, goondaism and high prices. Support for the Hardik Patel led protest runs strong here. “Hardik doesn’t only speak for Patidars,” says Kashish Tomar, a paan shop owner in Halol who holds a B.Com degree, “he’s voicing our pain too. Sex CD se kuch fark nahin padega.”

Piyush Barot is a local businessman who says the high costs of Gujarat’s privatized education has hit hard. “Private education has meant very high fees. We pay Rs 6000 twice a year and have to buy books and uniforms from the school too. How can someone with an income of Rs 5000 per month pay?” There are also complaints about “outsourced” traffic management in the area to non-government employees. “The government has outsourced traffic management to private agencies, they pick up youngsters, put them in uniform and make them control traffic,” says Kashish, “that’s why there’s chaos on the roads.”

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Shop owners, students, local businessmen and teachers gather at a street corner clamour to pour out their woes to TOI. They say instead of jobs, its liquor which is freely available. An auto factory that has come up nearby has put up a sign saying it will only recruit those who live 50 km away. Locals say factories only employ migrants from Bihar and UP as contract labour and not Gujaratis.

“I am a B.Com but I sell paan,” says Mukesh Patel . He dials a number on his mobile and asks what’s available. Instantly the voice at the other end quotes liquor brands and prices. “Going to college is a bekaari ka karkhana. I don’t know why I bothered with my graduation,” says Patel. Endorsing his view another Halol resident Piyush Jhala says he is a B.Ed but works as a mason. “After notebandi, most construction’s stopped so I am without a job.”

Watch: How BJP plans to offset Patidar divide

Have they tried to approach the government about their problems? “There is no one to listen to us,” says Haren Parmar . “If Modiji comes here, the police will not let us go near him. If we gather people to protest, goondas will come and beat us up. Anyone who supports the opposition here will have his business shut down, power lines cut or get income tax notices or pollution certificates. Nobody dares to rent out their property to any political party other than the ruling party. Today we are facing police raj and goonda raj. Soon Gujarat will become like what Bihar once used to be.” ‘Mera Gujarat mahan’ laughs the crowd sarcastically.

These trenchant voices of criticism against the ruling dispensation reflects the wave of anti-incumbency sweeping through many parts of Gujarat, especially outside the big cities.

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While there is little overt hostility to Modi, there’s open anger against the Rupani government and against demonetisation and GST. “Business is the life blood of the Gujarati,” says Manish Barot, “and demonitisation and GST have hit our life blood. Yes we believe in Hindutva but Hindutva won’t fill our stomachs.” He adds that the three pillars of India, the kisan, the youth and the jawan are being badly hit by the economic downturn.

`Ache din’ was the Prime Minister's calling card in 2014 as the BJP swept to power in the general elections. Just three years later, its that very promise which is now being challenged by angry voices. Gujarat's winter of discontent is holding out a warning for those who have ruled the state for more than two decades.

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