UP to witness clash of Gujarat leaders in general election

The 2014 Lok Sabha elections will witness a fierce battle between two Gujaratis, one from the Congress and the other from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh, that sends 80 MPs to the Lower House.

Though the two national parties are fringe players in Uttar Pradesh, they have reposed faith in leaders from Gujarat to help them taste electoral success.

The Congress has appointed Madhusudan Mistry, a senior leader from Gujarat, to be in charge of the party’s Uttar Pradesh unit. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s protege Amit Shah is in charge of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress leaders here feel that Mistry, who had as the Karnataka unit in charge, ensured an emphatic victory for the party there, will be able to replicate the performance in Uttar Pradesh. Though a section of the party was surprised at Mistry’s appointment, many leaders said his familiarity with the working of the RSS makes him a better person to counter Shah.

“Uttar Pradesh will be the real test of Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi in the next general election....both will require a good win here if they are to nurture any dream of occupying the top post,” a senior Congress leader here told Deccan Herald.