Septuagenarian tribal leader Chhotu Vasava carries the image of a political ‘don’ in Jhagadia. The six-time MLA from this tribal-dominated seat is also compared with a lion that doesn’t come out of his den but still rules the jungle. In his political career of nearly three decades, he rarely stepped out of his house for poll campaign!
Chhotu Vasava is a tribal satrap whose vote gave Ahmed Patel, political adviser to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, a stunning victory over his BJP rival in the Rajya Sabha polls earlier this year.
Vasava first time won Assembly elections in 1990 by forming Gujarat Adijati Vikas Party. He contested as an Independent in 1995, 1998 and 2002 Gujarat polls from the same seat. Later on, Vasava joined hands with Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) and won 2007 and 2012 State elections on ‘arrow’ symbol.
Being a hardcore supporter of former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav, he parted ways with Nitish and formed his own political outfit Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) ahead of Gujarat polls. The Election Commission of India has allotted him ‘auto rickshaw’ symbol.
With a view to taming the lion in his own territory, the BJP has fielded Ravaji Vasava, a close aide of Chhotu for two decades. The JD(U) has made the matter worse for the tribal leader by putting up a namesake as its candidate. This Chhotu, a marginal farmer, is now set to contest on ‘arrow’ symbol associated with ‘original’ Chhotu which illiterate tribal voters recognise.
“Challenge from his own lieutenant and namesake has come as a double whammy for Chhotu Vasava. It would be an uphill task for his team to make tribal voters understand about the changed symbol. As JD(U) candidate fielded nomination at the last moment, there wouldn’t be adequate time to explain to them. This confusion may lead to major dent in his vote-bank,” says Harish Joshi, a political analyst in South Gujarat town Bharuch.
Apart from Jhagadia, the BTP is contesting from three other seats as part of agreement with the Congress. In other three seats, his close aides, including his son Mahesh who is also BTP president, are contesting. Vasava is heavily dependent on his son Mahesh and other two — Anil Bhagat and Pravin Vasava who are busy campaigning in their respective constituencies.
Many in his constituency feel that Vasava is on shaky ground. ‘’He didn’t allow his own people to grow,’’ says Raju Vasava, a supporter of BJP candidate. He adds that in his own village, situated less than just 40 km from Asia’s biggest chemical industry hub Ankleshwar, there is no infrastructure. One would have to experience bumpy rides on broken roads to reach at Vasava’s village Maljipura.
Chhotu Vasava denies blames on him saying that it was the BJP which ignored tribal people and their area. “The BJP would pay heavy price for ignoring tribal not only in Gujarat Assembly election but also in 2019 Lok Sabha polls,” he said.
Of around 2.31 lakh voters in Jhagadia Assembly constituency reserved for Scheduled Tribes, it has 1.45 lakh tribal, 29,000 minorities, 9,000 Dalits, 10,000 OBC and 40,000 upper caste votes.
Chottu Vasava is contesting the polls on the plank of tribal autonomy. According to him, tribal should have autonomy to decide their fate in lines with North-Eastern States. Schedule 5 and 6 of Indian Constitution should be implemented in tribal areas of Gujarat, he says, adding, “the BTP would pitch for a separate State for tribal consisting parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Already we have Bhilistan Tiger Sena for the purpose. There are more than 1.10 crore tribal in the area where a new State can be formed.”