Voices of Gujarat: ‘We Want Govt Jobs’, ‘BJP Makes Empty Promises’

From reservation to unemployment, these 5 voters talk about what will define their vote in the Gujarat elections.

From no government jobs to reservation, these 5 voters talk about what will define their vote in the Gujarat elections.

(Photo: The Quint)

A 45-year-old businessman, a transgender, a farmer and more – watch these people from Gujarat talk about what will define their vote this election.

Won't Repeat The Mistake of Voting For BJP Again: 45-Year-Old Businessman

45-year-old Dharmendra Gadhvi of Gujarat's Dahej says the lack of development under the BJP government in Gujarat makes him not want to repeat the mistake of voting for the party again in the state assembly elections.

Accusing the BJP government of doing nothing ever since it came to power 22 years ago in Gujarat, he says:

When the government acquired a piece of land in the Dahej area 22 years ago, they promised to provide employment to the children of the landowners. I say this with great sadness today that no one has been given a job.

We Want Modiji to Ensure We Get Govt Jobs and Housing: 31-Year-Old Transgender

31-year-old Payal Kuvar of Surat appeals to PM Modi and the BJP government in Gujarat to ensure that the transgender community is provided with houses as well as government jobs.

We aren’t getting any government jobs here. Some of us (from the transgender community) might not be educated. But our community has enough knowledge. We’re at least eligible for some jobs.

Criticising the way GST and note ban were implemented by the government, Kuvar says the measures negatively affected many people who ensure the sustenance of the transgender community.

BJP Has Just Made Empty Promises Till Now: 51-Year-Old Farmer

For 51-year-old farmer Dhirubhai Khokharia in Rajkot, the BJP government's "empty promises" would make him vote for Congress in the upcoming state assembly elections.

When asked about the issues that would define his vote, Khokharia goes on to complain about the distress among the farming community, large-scale unemployment, as well as the ill-effects of GST and note ban.

Farmers are not getting proper rates for their produce... GST and note ban have destroyed everything... My son has not got a job despite his education. Patidar children are not getting jobs.

BJP Hasn't Done Anything on Reservation, So Will Vote For Cong: Dairy Worker

For 33-year-old dairy worker Sanwaliya Rajesh in Rajkot, the question of reservation would be the primary issue that will define his vote in the upcoming elections.

We will vote for Congress this time. The present government has not done anything. If we have given a chance to BJP, then Congress also deserves an opportunity.

Rajesh promptly refutes the contention that the Patidar community should not get reservation because that they are well-off.

Not everyone from the community is well-off. A lot of them are unemployed. They don’t have houses. I don’t have any land, like so many others.

Nation Comes First, GST is Secondary: 48-Year-Old Textile Trader

For 48-year-old Surat trader Narendra Sabu, what matters the most this election is the progress of the nation.

We are Baniya businessmen and we’ve always supported BJP. For us, the biggest concern is the state of the nation. Our nation should be in safe hands.

What about GST?

“Of course, it has affected businesses,” Sabu says, but quickly adds that the new tax regime is of secondary concern to him, the safety of the nation being the primary issue.

Click here to listen to more such voices from Gujarat.

(Voices of Gujarat: Tired of listening to netas make promises? As Gujarat goes to polls, The Quint wants to listen to the real voices of Gujarat – the voters. Tell us what issues matter to you this election season. Send in your videos to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @ [phone])