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MMIITT SScchhooooll ooff GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt

Gujarat State Election Study Tour (11th Dec. to 18th Dec. 2012)

Submitted By:

Avinash M. Bedekar Student MIT School Of Government

Master Program in Government

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Day 1 – 11th December 2012

I. Interaction with Shri Suresh Bhai Mehta (Former C.M and Vice President

G.P.P) :–

- BJP in Gujarat in recent years has started deviating from its original principles, now it’s a one

man led party.

- Voters in the recent years have become demanding and selfish and hence talented and educated

people are not able to come into politics.

- Caste politics in Gujarat is very dangerous element in today’s scenario.

- GPP is a possible alternative for BJP and Congress for the people of Gujarat.

- BJP this time is going to suffer in Saurashtra and may lose power in Gujarat.

- GPP’s main motto is to improve and safeguard the interest of Gujarat and the people of Gujarat.

- He also shared his views on Human Development Index, Tata’s Nano project, Economic

development in Gujarat, Health &, Employment in the state.

- IF GPP comes to power, will provide Rs 1500 to 2000 to unemployed youth.

- All big industries will have their own ITI training institutes to train the unemployed youth.

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II. Survey in Village Gozariya :-

Most of the voters said will vote for BJP candidate (Nitin Bhai Patel), condition of road and water

supply has been improved drastically, education is very good, New English medium schools, ITI and

Anganwadis have been started by the BJP government. Many people expressed the concern that

individual income has not been improved as they had expected to be, corruption is gradually

reducing.

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III. Attended the Road Rally Of Shri Hetu Kanodiya BJP candidate and

Gujarat’s famous film actor.

IV. Interaction with Shri Jay Narayan Vyas ( MLA, Minister Of State Health,

BJP Gujarat spokesperson) :-

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Shri Jay Narayan Vyaas shared his academic, Administrative and political journey, his contributions

as a bureaucrat in the Single window scheme, Narmada project and many more.

Gujarat development:-

Agriculture :- increase in command area developed (2000 to 2012), Agri production of 38 lakh tones,

Gujarat is a food surplus state.

Milk :- Dairies like Amul, Dudhsagar (32-35 lakh per day collection Asia’s largest), North Gujarat’s

milk economy – 15000 crores, Gujarat supplies milk to Delhi, Calcutta, etc.

Coast line :- 1/3rd of country’s coastline, 80% of Nation’s cargo moves from Gujarat, fish catching

1/3rd of total.

Diamond Industry :- Out of every 12 diamond sold in the world 11 are processed in Gujarat.

Tourism :- Gujarat will soon be the Medical tourism destination in the world.

- Human Development index is a western concept and cannot be applied in India.

- We believe in Human Happiness Index.

V. Survey at Siddhpur :-

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Close contest between Shri Jay Narayan Vyaas and Shri Balwant Singh Rajput.

Fight of Laxmi v/s Sarswati

Development has happened

People are getting 24 hours electricity

Congress lacks a capable leader to lead the government.

VI. Visited Unjha Devi Temple

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Day 2 ( 12th December 2012)

I. Visit to Maninagar Assembly (Mr. Narendra Modi’s Constituency) :-

a) Interaction with Shri Karthik Panchal in-charge election campaign.

Got information about the total number of booths, polling stations, total voters, caste details and past

election performance of Shri Narendra Modi.

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b) Interaction with Shri Soma Bhai Modi elder brother of Shri Narendra Modi

He told us about Mr. Narendra Modi’s life and political journey and his working style.

- Shri Modi keeps transparency in every program, so people feel close to him.

- His Hobbies: - Poems, Writing, Reading, Tourism. Etc

- Family life: - He is always busy in his work, he works for about 16-18 hours, so he hardly spends

time with the family.

- I support him not as a brother but because of his honesty and dedication towards the society and

Nation.

- Youth :- The youth should actively involve in politics, they should educate the voters, take social

responsibilities, the youth can change the Nation.

- Think of the Nation above oneself.

- On present election: - History is in making for Gujarat and the Nation.

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II. Visited Gujarat Legislative Assembly

The visit was guided by The Gujarat Legislature Secretariat.

III. Visit to BJP Headquarter

Interacted with all the members of the BJP Media Cell, especially with Shri Jagdish Bhai Bhavsar,

- Got to know the systematic working of BJP office

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- Election Campaign and the role of Media cell (press notes, press conference, etc)

- Shri Narendra Modi is the only Leader to connect to the people at nearly 40-50 public meetings

through 3D technology.

- When asked about the paid news factor in politics: - BJP has never indulged in the practice ever.

- About GPP: - No importance; let the people decide.

- On Godhara riots: - No effect in last elections and will have no effect in the present elections also.

- One month before the elections Mr. Narendra Modi has visited all Assemblies of Gujarat.

- All National leaders of BJP and all Chief Minister of BJP have been to Gujarat for election

campaigning.

IV. Visit to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation :-

Discussed about BRTS and other major development projects:-

- Study of different international model: - Adopted Columbia Bogota city.

- Lessons learned from the Delhi BRTS accident, about 30-35 improvement done.

- AMC’s BRTS project is the best project in the country.

- Sabarmati river front: - study of London, Paris river fronts, Study of flood history of 100 years of

the city, rehabilitation program, etc.

- Drainage system of the city.

- Kakaria Lake front development.

- Economy of AMC.

- Pipeline projects like: - Zero Waste city by 2035, 24X7 water supply system like Nagpur.

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Interaction with Shri Asit Vora, Mayor Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

V. Interaction with Social Activist Mallika Sarabhai :-

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Shared her views on Gujarat’s over all development and the political scenario

- No democracy in Gujarat, democracy has been killed from Gram panchayat to state level

- Minorities in Gujarat have been frightened and suppressed.

- There is no law and order in Gujarat and police is not ready to file any cases of rape and domestic

violence just to keep the records cleans.

- 15 RTI activists have been killed.

- Gujarat has achieved only commercial development, Development has to be inclusive and

sustainable and for everybody.

- Rs 23000 debt on every new baby born in Gujarat.

- On Present assembly elections :- Congress has a good chance to come back to power as people of

Gujarat now know the reality of development done at who’s cost and for who’s benefit. Gujarat

govt. is only giving importance to business man and upper class industries.

- The Country’s Electoral system needs a massive change.

Day 3 (13th December 2012)

I. Visit to Mansa assembly and interaction with congress candidate Shri Amit Bhai Chowdhary

and Sitting MLA Shri Babuji Thakore.

Priorities of Works if gets elected:-

Will built educational institutions, Government Schools teaching staff will be increased. Main aeras

of concerns are health and education, Will solve the Drinking water problem.

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II. Survey of Mansa close contest between Congress and BJP (D.D.Patel)

People were quite happy about the basic development; few people felt that agricultural Development

should be given preference.

III. Attended election campaign road rally in Behiyal of INC candidate Mrs. Kaminiben Rathore.

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IV. Attended Paresh Rawal BJP public meeting near Gandhinagar.

Day 4 (14th December 2012)

I. Interaction with Shri Rahul Mehta ( Independent candidate from Ghatlodiya Assembly)

Gave us the information about Right to Recall.

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II. Visited the Sabarmati Ashram : Gandhi Memorial Museum.

III. Interaction with Shri Devang Nanavati (BJP spokesperson Gujarat)

Interacted with us about his Social and Political journey, His views on present day politics

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- 50 lac voters are new voters , first time voters (youth)

- He has spoken about the various aspects of Shri Modi’s personality.

- Youth will make a huge difference in Gujarat’s Politics.

- Modi will win the Gujarat election due to the thoughtful youth.

- We have done a lot (development) but still many more things have to be done.

- Lead India Campaign

- Why I joined politics and BJP

- Young girls & boys feel Modiji like a Rockstar, he is the Amitabh Bacchan of Politics.

- In today’s scenario very few examples like Modi ji who has Moral authority.

IV. Attended Katiyal public meeting of Shri Shanker Singh Vaghela

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V. Attended Mr. Narendra Modi’s Public Meeting at Ahmedabad

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Day 5 (15th December 2012)

I. Heritage walk of Ahmedabad city

- Slide show on ancient history of Ahmedabad.

- A 1.5 kms walk through the soul of the city.

- The Heritage Walk is a joint effort by AMC & Cruta Foundation.

- The walk is a showcase of Ahmedabad’s Culture, Heritage, Architecture, History.

- Mandir to Masjid Walk

II. Visited Raj Bhavan Gandhi Nagar

Interaction with Her Excellency Kamla Beniwal, Governor Gujarat State

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- About briefed us about her Social & Political journey.

- Student life to father freedom struggle , prabhat pheris, various andolans and the ministries and

responsibilities undertaken in her political career , she shared her views on democracy

- She was the youngest women Cabinet Minister in Rajasthan govt (1954).

- The youth has to study the freedom struggle, to know how we got independence and what cost.

- Women should be empowered if we want the Nation to be strong.

- I Hope you young future leaders in contribute honestly in making our Nation the strongest and

the best Democracy in the World

III. Visited Akshardham Temple

IV. Visited the Jain International Trade Organization and interacted with Mr. Hasmukh Bhai

Gadeja President and Mr. Mukesh Bhai Patel Vice President.

Shared his background, history and society of Gujarat and the people of Gujarat

- Industrial Growth of Gujarat

- Ahmedabad was the largest city India before the British came to India.

- Work of JITO

- Gujarat’s economy has always been very strong, but it came in light in the last 10 years.

- Mr. Modi made Gujarat more economically strong, he knows the History very well of Gujarat

and its coastal benefit for business.

- Swift of industries to Gujarat i. Coastal Benefit ii. Industrial peace iii. Easy availability of land.

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V. Interaction with Tarun Sagar Maharaj

VI. VII. - Election is the most important part of Democracy. To save the country from corruption and

corrupt politicians, the people should be vote honestly.

VIII. - Every 3rd Indian is corrupt, only 20 % of people are honest and non-corrupt.

IX. - Religion and Politics :- When religion comes into politics Ramayan happens, and when politics

comes in religion Mahabharat happens.

X. - In Rajniti the word NITI points towards religion.

XI. - Bad people are only in 1000’s but they are united but good and honest people are not.

XII. - Many people are doing many wrong things in the name of Religion

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Day 6 ( 16th Dec. 2012)

I. Interaction with Prof. Hemant Shah and a renowned Political analyst.

- About Mr Narendra Modi, “I have not seen such a “Ghatiya Politician” in my life.

- Mr. Modi has literally destroyed all co-operative societies in Gujarat.

- People have to choose between Democracy or Dictatorship. Narendra Modi is a Dictator.

- Narendra Modi is the Hitler in making for India.

- Ambani’s and Tata’s say Modi is good because he gave them land at a the lowest possible price.

- Gujarat is unsafe for people like me who oppose him.

- 1960 to 2000 the growth rate of Gujarat was 13% and in Modi’s rule it is 9.5%

- Congress this time is trying to highlight the anti-Modi picture about development. Good roads

doesn’t mean development.

- Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) started by Mr Keshubhai Patel is a old man’s party, a 83 year old

man’s party. His target is to stop Mr. Modi from becoming the next CM.

- People of Gujarat are of two types either they have extreme love or extreme hate for Mr. Modi.

- Mr Modi puts his face to each and everything in Gujarat. “Modi is Gujarat and Gujarat is Modi”

- Mr. Modi is a great marketer and advertiser.

- I am happy that he is not the PM of the country.

- Development of Gujarat at what cost and whose cost ?

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II. Interaction with Shri Narhari Amin Former Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat

Ex MLA and Dy. CM of Gujarat Shri Narhari Amin was a senior leader of INC but left Congress and

joined BJP, after he was denied a ticket to contest in state electons.

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III. Interaction with State Congress President Shri Arjun Modhwadia Leaders of the

Opposition in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

- In Gujarat people are only seeing what is being show to them.

- A large amount of wealth and property is accumulated in the hands of few people.

- Resources should be distributed judicially.

- Human Development investment has been very less in Gujarat.

- On giving tickets to Youth congress elected office bearers : Win ability has to be given more

importance, we do agree that the youth has to be given chance.

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Day

MMIITT SScchhooooll ooff GGoovveerrnnmmeenntt

Gujarat State Election Study Tour

(11th Dec. to 18th Dec. 2012)

Public Survey Findings

Submitted By:

MITSOG

Master Program in Government - 08

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Public Opinion about Development in Gujarat.

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