Power, water and job outweigh Hindutva

PALANPUR: In the rural belts of north Gujarat, one of the worst-hit in riots, it won''t be a cakewalk for the crusaders of Hindutva. Unemployment, water and electricity top the people''s agenda.
In Vadnagar, birthplace of chief minister Narendra Modi, people say, "We have no problem with the Muslims." "Our problem is unemployment. Every day, about 5,000 people from this place go to Visnagar in search of work.We need water for farms and drinking purposes...power to irrigate. And, we want industries," says Haresh Desai, an advocate.
In Kheralu, a few kms from here, agriculture is the main occupation. Here''s what a farmer of this village, Vikramji Thakore, has to say: "I have five bighas. Still, I buy all the grains I need. There is no water — not even for our cattle. We sell things and borrow to survive. We have been voting on the caste lines every time. This time, we have found a candidate who works for us."
Hingathia, located further north, is an adivasi village outside Khedbrahma — former chief minister minister Amarsinh Chaudhary''s constituency for years. "Don''t go inside, they will immediately rob you," warned a youth, as this correspondent asked the way for the interior villages.
"There is no water. There is no food. Though we are ready to work, we are not given jobs or even loans for a paan shop. They (villagers) are forced to rob others and survive," laments Dinesh Pargi, a graduate from the local Arts College.
All villagers are eagerly waiting for the polling day. "We will not have to go two kms to fetch water on that day. Because they bring water tankers here on the election day and let us take away as much we want," says Pargi.
In the Siddhpur constituency of Patan district, the Muslims voters have a sizeable presence. "About 140 of the 200 restaurants burnt in Gujarat belonged to the people of this place. We will vote with enthusiasm — for a government which would not compel us to become terrorist," says 20-year-old Kasam Mer, who has now joined the Congress.