Guj BJP predicts keen tussle on nine LS seats

The Gujarat BJP today said the results of December 2002 assembly polls show that there is clean sway of voters towards the saffron party.

Predicting a keen tussle on nine parliamentary seats that included five presently represented by the Congress, Gujarat BJP today said the results of December 2002 assembly polls show that there is clean sway of voters towards the saffron party.

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Newly appointed BJP spokesman Jaynarayan Vyas told mediapersons here that a keen tussle is on the cards for Congress-ruled Surendranagar, Kapadvanj, Patan, Kheda and Sabarkantha as also Anand, Dhandhuka, Chhota Udepur and Kutch.

Vyas based his prediction on comparision in the increase in number of votes bagged by BJP in 1999 Lok Sabha polls and in December 2002 Assembly polls in these nine constituencies.

BJP candidates in Dhandhuka, Anand, Kutch and Chota Udepur had won a very thin margin in 1999 parliamentary polls but in the 2002 Vidhan Sabha polls, its lead increased, which clearly shows that there is swing towards the party, he said.

"Since the past 15 months after the Assembly polls there has been no incident that had a potential to trigger an anti-incumbency wave," Vyas said, adding recent developments like permission to increase the Narmada dam height to 110 mts, announcement of Sujalam Sufalam scheme to water the arid regions and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's Bharat Uday Yatra have created "favourable" atmosphere for the BJP.

He said there is no possiblity of voters favouring Congress, which is "issueless" and having rebel candidates along with pathetic organisational structure.

"We are much ahead of Congress as far as poll preparation is concerned. This is a great psychological advantage," he added.