Resentment among tribals may dim BJP's chances in land of 'Statue of Unity'

They got a helipad, a four-lane road and many headlines with the Statue of Unity', billed as the world's largest, but real development has bypassed them with water scarcity, unemployment and inadequate healthcare making life a daily struggle for survival, say many tribals here.

Living under the shadow of the 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel near the Narmada dam, development dominates the concerns of the tribal population, comprising a majority in the Chhota Udaipur parliamentary constituency.

Many tribals here said they are unhappy with the BJP-led government for its "failure" to fulfil promises. This may ultimately benefit the Congress in the elections being held on Tuesday.

Chhota Udaipur, which has over 16 lakh voters, is a reserved seat for Scheduled Tribes. The BJP, which has dropped its sitting MP Ramsinh Rathwa, has fielded local leader Geeta Rathwa, who will be fighting her first major election, against Congress' Ranjit Rathwa.

The imposing statue of India's first home minister, which attracts scores of tourists, has ironically become the focus of resentment with those living in the area saying they are yet to glimpse the development they were promised.

Umang Tadvi, a 29-year-old farmer, standing on a piece of land marked as a helipad outside Kevadiya village, said, "This is what we have received. A helipad for VIP choppers."