By: Kapil Dave and Meghdoot Sharon GANDHINAGAR: In 2009, when the Congress pitted Suresh Patel, a rich and influential Patidar strongman, against L K Advani from Gandhinagar, many reckoned a fight on hand. Minutes after polling was over, TOI had called Amit Shah, the BJP`s key election strategist and the then junior state home minister, to gauge his mood. A calm Shah had said, `Bahu comfortably nikli jashe, ek lakh upar (BJP will win by over one lakh votes. Advaniji is headed for a comfortable win.` On the counting day, Advani trounced Patel by 1,21,747 votes. While his close associates can vouch for Shah`s understanding of the nitty-gritty of all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, his hold on...
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