In Vadodara city, the flood situation, which began on the night of the August 26th, has persisted for 12 days, leaving people still grappling with it. Despite the receding waters in most areas, many low-lying regions and basements of multi-storey buildings remain inundated. Pumps are being deployed to remove the water, but the situation remains dire, particularly in apartment buildings near reservoirs, where water continues to fill the basements despite ongoing efforts.

Amidst this severe crisis, BJP leaders and corporators have come under intense scrutiny. There has been significant infighting among BJP factions, and councillors are seen as being detached from the ground realities. This has led to frustration among the residents, who are still living in fear and facing mental distress due to the prolonged flooding.

The BJP’s response to the flood has been criticised as inadequate. Many MPs, MLAs, and councillors were inactive during the critical days of the flood. When they eventually arrived to provide assistance, they were met with public outrage. The Minister of State for Home, during his visit to Vadodara, faced backlash from residents in areas such as Sayajigunj and Parashuram nagar. The BJP’s distribution of relief kits and cash aid after the floodwaters receded has been deemed insufficient, with accusations that the aid mocked the poor and middle class.

Amid these challenges, the BJP’s membership drive has been overshadowed by the urgent needs of the flood-affected citizens. While the party is pushing for new memberships, many people are questioning the benefits of joining the BJP when pressing issues such as flooding, inflation, and unemployment remain unresolved. The current situation underscores the party’s struggle to address immediate crises while managing internal conflicts and public dissatisfaction.

Adding to the criticism, BJP councillors have been embroiled in internal disputes and infighting. Coordination among councillors and ward-level workers has been poor, and this discord has only intensified during and after the flood. Recent meetings have seen councillors exchanging accusations, further exposing the internal strife.

In the backdrop of this chaos, key BJP figures, including the priimeinister, Gujarat state president CR Patil, and the chief mpinister, have been criticised for their lack of presence. Despite the historic scale of the flooding, with areas experiencing unprecedented water levels, many leaders have not visited the affected areas. The chief minister made a brief aerial visit, while the home minister’s interactions with residents were minimal after facing backlash. 

Furthermore, no central government minister has visited the flood-affected areas of Vadodara, adding to the growing dissatisfaction among residents.

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