Heavy rain in parts of Gujarat since last one week and devastating flood that affected nearly three lakh people in Vadodara shifted the focus from by-elections to rescue work in flood-hit areas. If it was not enough, upcoming visit of Chinese President Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on next Tuesday and Wednesday has completely diverted attention of people.
Flood in poll-bound Vadodara and other parts of Gujarat will not affect the by-elections of nine Assembly seat and one lok Sabha constituency and the polls will be held as per schedule on September 13, clarified the Election Commission. From Thursday evening model code-of-conduct came into effect in 10 poll-bound seats in the State.
Both the major political parties — BJP and Congress — had to cancel rallies of their leaders in Vadodara that include Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel. However, on Thursday Patel addressed a rally in Mangrol town in Saurashtra. Even among people, the bypoll is not able to generate any interest as the result would not make any difference to the majority the ruling BJP is enjoying both in Gujarat Assembly and in Parliament.
“We are worried about voters’ turnout, especially in Vaododara as majority parts of the Cultural Capital of Gujarat are still marooned. Thousands of people are displaced. They are awaiting water to recede so that they can move back to their homes. In such situation they would be least interested in voting,” said a BJP leader.