Dahod is also known as Dohad (two boundaries), as the district shares its state boundaries with Madhya Pradesh in the eastern flank and Rajasthan in the north. With 60 per cent of the 1.2 crore people being tribals (Bhils, Rathwas and Solankis), the constituency has been reserved for the Scheduled Tribes.

The birthplace of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, this is one of the backward districts of Gujarat.

The constituency is well endowed with natural resources such as forests and rivers, and is an idyllic place for tribals.

Most of them are farmers, while others work in the

mines. Those engaged in farming mostly grow barley, maize and wheat.

Besides, fruits and cash crops like sugarcane and tobacco are also traditionally grown here.

It is among the few districts in Gujarat to be chosen for the implementation of the NREGA at its inception.

Migration from the region is high, as tribals move out in search of employment.

On the other hand, Dahod town houses one of the oldest locomotive workshops of the Indian Railways with half of the town dotted with railway workers.

The district also has a significant number of Muslims. It has the second highest population of Dawoodi Bohra Muslims in India.

The issues

Despite abundance of natural resources, till very recently, it was among the 10 most underdeveloped districts in India. Tribal leaders here have for long held the Centre’s apathy and the poor policy of the state government responsible for the district remaining backward.

Many say that for an agrarian economy to flourish, at least two to three crop seasons are required.

But due to shortage of labour, mainly because of intra-state migration to more prosperous parts of the state — which have better water resources — there is only one season of crop cultivation.

The voting percentage in the recent elections had been hovering around 42 due to the migration.

The issue of tribal certificates to Santrampur and Kadana Bhils is yet to be addressed by the national and local leaders.

Many say that though the taluka receives funds under various tribal welfare programmes, the tribals in the area have not been recognised.

Another important issue is the increase in criminal activities in the form of loots.

But despite facing the problem of staff-crunch, the police have somewhat been able to contain the menace. But it has also been seen that many of the dacoits enjoy political clout.

The citizens have also been affected a lot by illegal cross border activities as the district shares its borders with MP and Rajasthan.

The candidates

The Congress has again fielded Prabha Taviyad, a qualified gynaecologist, who had suffered defeat at the hands of BJP’s Babu Katara in the 2004 LS polls.

Though Katara had defeated seven-time MP Somji Damor in the 1999 elections, he has been denied a ticket this time for his alleged involvement in an international immigration scam. Following his arrest, the BJP had faced a backlash in the 2007 Assembly polls.

In search of an established face to take on the Congress candidate, the BJP, surprisingly, showed faith in Somji Damor after the Congress denied him ticket.

Damor, who is well-known for his distillery in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, will use all his might in the polls, while the Congress candidate will hope to recover lost ground, as the seat is a traditional Congress bastion.

Incidentally, Dahod is also one of the two seats from where the CPI(M) is contesting in Gujarat.