In the 2012 Assembly polls, selection of Harsh Sanghvi as candidate for the high-profile Majura constituency raised many eye-brows within the BJP. However when result came, Sanghvi who was just 26-year-old at that time registered second biggest victory margin of 71,556 votes after Anandiben Patel’s 1,10,395 votes.
Though he is 9th class pass, this hardworking and enthusiastic young politician is IT savvy and highly active on social media platform. Unlike traditional politician, he is seen wearing jeans, T-shirts in public functions also.
Sanghvi’s biggest asset is his learning aptitude and his humbleness. Air of political success at an early age has not gone on his head, which is very rare in present days’ politicians. After becoming MLA, he made his mark in BJP’s organisational structure also. He is currently national vice-president of BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM).
The son of diamond trader, Harsh belongs to Jain community and is very clear about his constituency and future of the Diamond city Surat – the commercial capital of South Gujarat. According to him industrialisation process in Surat has gone beyond a limit. “To support diamond and textile units, skilled manpower would require. For the purpose the city requires a dedicated Textile University. Development of IT industry too require here,” he says talking to ‘The Pioneer’.
In reference to influx of migrants he says that collective efforts would have to be done in sanitation which would improve overall quality of life in Surat. Already the city has seen plaque epidemic 1994, he adds. Confident about winning for the second time, Sanghvi says that in the run-up to poll campaign Rahul Gandhi made it easy for him to ensure victory by raising issue of unemployment. According to him, presence of large number of migrants itself suggesting huge employment opportunity in the city, unfortunately, Congress vice-president couldn’t understand it. He however didn’t deny anti-incumbency as well as impact of GST and demonetisation saying that despite all these factors, he would win, probably with lesser margin.
“Central Government have simplified GST filing process. This action has pacified textile industry’s protest,” he said. This time Congress has pitted 42-year-old Marwari candidate Ashok Kothari, a textile trader against him with a view to take advantage of simmering discontent in textile traders over GST.
Of nearly 2.20 lakh voters, Jains and Rajasthani communities together have over 70,000 votes followed by Patidars 25000, North Indian migrants 25000, local Suratis 24000 and other around 62000. The constituency houses posh areas of the city and it is ‘the address’ of who’s who of Surat.