BJP to woo Patidar community with help of godmen, sects
Pins hope on PM’s personal rapport with spiritual gurus
AHMED A BAD: Prime Minister Na rendra Modi’s visit to Akshardham temple in Gandhi na ga ron Thursday, which will be his first to the poll-bound state after the announcement of election dates, is expected to help the B JP repair its strained ties with Patidars — the community whose members constitute the majority of millionodd followers of the influential socio-spiritual Swaminarayan sect, which has presence both in India and abroad.
Besides, the Prime Minister shares a personal rapport with prominent spiritual leaders such as Ra mesh Oz a and M or ari Ba pu, which may help the BJP corner Other Backward Class (OBC) votes to take further its 22-yearold rule in Gujarat.
Faced with its biggest social challenge in years with communities hitting the streets for their demands, the BJP would look to reap benefits of its strong bonding with spiritual leaders.
Their backing - Swaminarayan sect’s in particular - is crucial given that for the first time in over two decades, the B JP seems unsure about the unflinching support of Patidars. The youth from this influential community, led by 24-year-old Hardik Pa tel, have locked horns with the state government demanding quota in government jobs and higher education.
The Congress, which, with the support of Patels, made a comeback in the local body elections two years ago, has been successful in wooing Hardik-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti.
“Given the connection with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the leaning of saints and spiritual leaders remains toward the B JP. But Modi, who has often let his spiritual side come out, has nurtured his bond with spiritual leaders in Gujarat,” said political analyst Jwalant Chhaya.
SWAMINARAYAN SECT
When Modi presides over puja ceremonies at the Gandhinagar A ks hard ham Silver Jubilee celebration son Thursday, by his side will be sect’ s head M ah ant Swami Maharaj. Born Vinu Patel, his predecessor Pramukh Swami, too, was a Patidar - Shantilal Patel.
“Majority of saints attached to this sect are Pa tels. For this reason, these ct has a huge following among Patidars,” remarked an official from a Swaminarayan trust. While the official denied Swaminarayan saints advocate support to any party or leader, he maintained that devotees take a mental note of the leaders who share their religious sentiments.
Paying tributes on the demise of PramukhSwa mi in 2016, Mo di said “he has lost a father”.
The Facebook page of Gujarat BJP uploaded a video of Swaminarayn Chhapaiya (Gonda, UP) Ma ho ts av where its head guru is seen appealing to devotees in Gujarati ,“If you want to see India as a stronger and prosperous country, we have no choice buttosupport the king of this country, Na rendra Modi’’.
MORARIBAPU
Morari Bapu’s devotees include the diaspora for his discourse on Ramayana. At an event recently, he had summed up the three years of Modi government thus: “I have no political leanings and connection with any politician. But one thing I always say is that nobody can question Modi’s devotion for the nation.”
A day before the second phase of polling in the 2012 assembly elections, which paved the way for Modi’s elevation, the latter had spent 45 minutes at Morari Bapu’s katha in Ahmedabad.
RAMESHOZA
From India’ s rich est family of late Dhirubhai Ambani to the common people of Gujarat, the most revered spiritual guru Rameshbhai Oza or Bhaishri is a kathakaar (one who delivers sermons). His educational institute, Sandipani Gurukul, which imparts education in Sanskrit, used to function from a small structure on the outskirts of Porbandar until the coalition regime of Janata Party and BJP donated 80 acres of land to turn it into a residential school in 1991.
In 2013, a year before Modi became the Prime Minister, Oz a, at a function in Haridwar, had said: “More than who wants the seat of PM, what is important is whom these at wants. And I pray that the seat of India always gets Nar-Indra (lord of men).”
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER TWO DECADES, BJP IS UNSURE OF THE SUPPORT OF PATIDARS, WHO CONSTITUTE THE MAJORITY OF MILLIONODD FOLLOWERS OF SWAMINARAYAN SECT