Modi's government may have given huge funds for installing pipelines and canals, improving electricity board’s equipments and technology, but industrial investment scenario has not been as dramatic as has been claimed. Larger investment is being pumped into existing industries only.
Other Indian states have been progressing too in the last decade. Particularly, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are giving Gujarat a run for its money.
Gujarat's imbalanced progress, both region-wise and class-wise, is being questioned this election. Industrial houses, which have established their dominance in Gujarat since many decades (like Essar, Reliance, Adanis, Torrent, Nirma and Cadila) have been seeing the further growth after Modi's arrival.
The chief minister has not been able to change the pattern of development drastically. Kutch has seen an extra-ordinary growth but that is primarily thanks to the central government's tax concessions and non-resident Kutchis' zeal and business sense.
The sensational claim of Modi about the proposed investment of Rs 1 lakh crore is still, largely, at the proposal level or MOU level. In Gujarat, businessmen and industrialists have made the government almost redundant. Money-centric society is savvy enough to prosper if government does not come in their way.
The 'ghost of India Shining' is worrying some BJP candidates in larger rural areas.
Image: Gujarat's imbalanced progress, both region-wise and class-wise, is being questioned this election.
Also read: BJP in Gujarat: For Modi, by Modi, of Modi
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