A poll issue that floats on water

BATTLEFIELD GUJARAT

Chandubhai, a contract labourer, points out to a pond full to the brim: "Three years ago, this used to remain dry throughout the year except the monsoon. Now we get water whenever we want." He is supported by his fellow-villagers at the bus stop of Mithibabri village, off the highway linking Patan with Ahmedabad.

If this is a wonder of water in rural Patan, in the urban parts too, there is a major electoral issue floating on water"" in a different form, though.

BJP's local MLA, Anandiben Patel, has renovated a lake lying next to a popular temple. The water body was earlier a stinking dumping place of garbage, but now it has become a major attraction of the city.

The saffron party took this renovation task on a priority basis and though there are claims and counter-claims on the development works done by the Narendra Modi government in this area, the issues related to water have become the crucial factors in the 2007 Assembly elections.

For the BJP, it will depend a lot on the water in Patan to sail its government to victory. In rural Patan, it's Narmada project filling up the water bodies to provide irrigation and in the city "" invoking sentiments by beautifying temples and its adjoining lake.

The Narmada project has delivered the desired water in this perched land. Along with the Sardar Sarovar project, the Dharoi Dam has also provided water in some areas of Patan.

Although the district is yet to attract huge investments to reap further benefits, the common people are praising Modi. Kamlesh, a farmer in Badawli, said: "This government has done two good things "" roads are better and availability of water."

However, the Congress has its own equations and counter-claims. "There is rampant corruption. Except cleaning the lake, there is no development. Anandiben is the education minister but has done nothing. Instead, the school fees have increased," says Pratapbhai Naik, general secretary of the District Congress Committee.

The BJP's district office will bring out detailed claims on how the government has spent Rs 200 crore alone for the development of the city.

During the last few years, Patan has witnessed a steady increase of children from farmers' families coming to the city to pursue higher education. Jabali J Vora, head of chemistry in Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, said: "Many families have left Patan for better. There has been a growth during this government's regime. However, basic health facilities are lagging."

Interestingly, both the Congress and the BJP have invested their best brands to get the maximum out of the seven assembly seats of Patan.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has campaigned here, while BJP leader LK Advani and Modi came here for rallies.

During the last Lok Sabha elections, the Congress rallies had attracted a lot of crowd in the area. The reason: the brother of the Congress candidate is a popular local singer. People came to hear him, had great fun, but then voted for the BJP.

Modi doesn't have any time for music during elections, but his rallies are attracting huge crowds. However, if the chief minister wants to realise his dream of retaining power, Patan has to provide a political road as good as its highways.