It is likely to be a battle of prestige as well as nerves in Mehsana Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat where the BJP is appealing to voters to elect the local nominee to make the son-of-soil Narendra Modi the prime minister as it faces a strong Congress candidate.
With Modi's hometown Vadnagar in Mehsana district falling under the constituency limits, the BJP is trying to exploit to hilt the emotional appeal with voters to get its candidate and sitting MP Jayshreeben Patel elected, realising that she faces a strong contender and Congress veteran Jivabhai Patel.
There are a total of 14.85 lakhs voters in Mehsana seat in north Gujarat, mostly dominated by Patel community.
With a strong and politically sensitive force of more than 4.07 lakh Patel voters, Mehsana is considered as the epicentre of 'Patel-driven politics' in north Gujarat, keeping every candidate on their toes.
The candidates are well aware how a tilt in Patel votes can make or mar their prospects.
With Patels usually being loyal to the BJP in this part of Gujarat, the party is looking ahead to retain the seat and that is the reason it has fielded Jayashreeben once again.
Though a greenhorn in 2009, Jayshreeben emerged as a giant killer by defeating the Congress veteran Jivabhai Patel and is facing him this time as well.
How close the contest was is evident from the slender margin of 20,000 votes Jayashreeben had had in 2009 over her Congress rival.
BJP poll managers are very much aware that Jivabhai poses a formidable challenge and leaving nothing to chance.
"It will prove to be a disaster if Jivabhai is taken lightly," said former state industries minister and BJP in-charge of Mehsana Lok Sabha seat Khodabhai Patel.
"Compared to Jayshreeben, Jivabhai is a seasoned and experienced politician who has command over several communities in Mehsana, particularly NRI Patel families. But luckily, our candidate is getting help from 'Modi wave' this time. In addition, Patel community is also backing BJP," he said.
