Doctors looks to cure Naranpura's ills

AHMEDABAD: A week before the city votes, candidates have left no stone unturned in their canvassing. Contesting against controversial BJP candidate Amit Shah, Dr Jitendra Patel's campaign trail stretches across large parts of Gandhi Ashram, Keshavnagar and Juna Vadaj areas.
Formerly associated with BJP for the last two terms, Patel joined the Congress this year after being denied a ticket.He is a practicing orthopaedic specialist. Ashok Patel, a spokesperson accompanying Jitu says, "We have taken the conventional method to reach out to voters.
Unlike BJP candidates, we do not rely on twitter, SMSs or 3D campaigns. Instead we go door to door, and listen to people's grievances," Patel said. A large part of the society meets Patel conducted during his campaign relate to better and affordable education facilities, employment and greater emphasis on opportunities for the youth and the poor. Patel's attention is also on improvement of the area's sewerage facilities and provisions for potable water.
Having worked extensively with the housing board and having practiced medicine, Patel claims that his focus is to steer clear of all power-hungry objectives. "Jeetubhai is a people's man. He has always been approachable to us. During the 2002-07 term, he ensured that our area developed. We will support only with the hope that he brings more improvement plans," says Rupaben, an old Vadaj resident.
Naranpura was initially part of Sarkhej constituency, from where former state home minister Amit Shah was victorious in the previous election.