Gujarat elections: Will NOTA hurt the BJP?

Those unhappy with GST could use the None of the Above option in the Gujarat assembly elections 2017. NOTA is being made available for the first time in the assembly polls in Gujarat.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, NOTA was used by more than 4.20 lakh voters. Analysts are of the view that some caste groups and also sections of small and medium entrepreneurs, who seem to be unhappy with the BJP over the GST, may make use of NOTA.

"This time, some socio-economic segments are disappointed with the ruling BJP. Some castes are aggressively opposing the saffron party, while some sectors, such as small and medium scale industries, are severely criticising it for the way it introduced the GST and pushed for it. The NOTA votes will come from these sectors, who had earlier supported the BJP leaders," he said.

I don't think NOTA would be a spoiler for us. If some voters are going to use NOTA, then both major parties would be affected and not just the BJP." Meanwhile, the Congress has changed its approach towards the option, especially after a new pre-poll survey predicted the party securing at least 78 seats in the 182-member House.

"Earlier, the NOTA was expected to cut the margin of the BJP. Now, with NOTA and some consolidation of non-BJP and anti-BJP voters, we could win some seats," a senior Congress leader said. Compared to the Lok Sabha elections, mobilisation of voters in the Assembly election is always higher, which also means compared to 2014, more people will vote in 2017, the leader added.

According to political observers, there is another factor which could be crucial - mobilisation of voters by Patidar quota agitation spearhead Hardik Patel, OBC leader Alpesh Thakor and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, who all are opposed to the BJP. Though the OBCs are slightly skeptical of Mr. Hardik Patel's quota demand, the Congress has claimed to have addressed the differences and focused on maximum consolidation of these votes in its favour.