Numbering roughly over 3 lakh in Rajasthan, this miniscule community, which has just one MLA out of the 200 assembly legislators, has all of a sudden decided to take politics rather seriously, as they gear up for a bigger role in the desert state.

Parikshit Borana, a Jodhpur based wholesale pharma trader has suddenly discovered his lost interest in politics after Narendra Modi took oath as CM of Gujarat for the third time.

He shares his views, rather passionately, about Modi’s Gujarat sweep, and the reason is, he also comes from the same community to which Modi belongs. “I came to know about his caste during an interview delivered to a national Magazine, where Narendra Modi stated that he comes from the Ghanchi (oil presser) caste,” reveals a delighted Borana.

Even as he gets jingoistic while talking about his favourite leader, he maintains that the firebrand Chief Minister of Gujarat is above any caste and has followers cutting across all castes. Showing his ardent preference for Modi, Borana says, “It would be nice to see Modi taking the political leadership of Rajasthan but we would be more interested in getting a Modi of our own.”

Defending Modi’s stand on Hindutva, Borana says, “there is nothing wrong in being a tough politician. Even Sardar Patel was a very astute politician and I guess he is going on the same lines. He has also proved that media has no sense of what the masses think about their leader.”

BJP MLA from Sumerpur in Pali District, Madan Rathore is jubilant to see that someone who has won the hearts of Gujaratis, is none other than a Ghanchi. Rathore clarifies later that he does not believe in politics of castes, but it encourages one to see that someone from a backward and marginalised community, has got the stature of what Modi today is. Rathore calls Modi a strong nationalist, and a person for whom everything including religions are secondary to nationalism and he fondly desires Modi to lead not only Rajashtan but the entire country.

Shri Krishna Borana an employee with the Railways, from Jodhpur feels thrilled to note that the nationally talked leader belongs to their own, Ghanchi community. Shri Krishna who learned about Modi’s caste from the community leaders says he felt personal triumph in the Modi victory, “ It was like a personal victory for us (Ghanchis), and we celebrated the same by distributing sweets”.

Anand Bhati a businessman and former president of the Jodhpur Ghanchi community expressed his desire to see Mr Modi as the Prime Minister of the nation. He explains joyfully how his community celebrated Modi’s victory. “We congratulated Modi by advertising his victory in the leading local dailies.”

He also recalls one community event held at Falna of Pali district where Modi, who was then the national general secretary of BJP, was called to preside over the function. Talking about the spread of the community he says. “Ghanchis are known by different titles all over India. In Gujarat, unlike Rajasthan the community uses Modi as their title.”

Vimala Borana a homemaker could not hold herself while claiming that Modi belongs to her own community. He is from our community, she exclaims, “Look his name is being taken among the big political leaders of the nation.” She asserts that by winning this election he has proved that he is capable of leading not only Gujarat but the entire country, “It gives us pride when people compare his political prowess with that of Indira Gandhi,” she confides.

Dr. Mahendra Patel a practicing doctor from Nagaur shares that Ghanchis of Nagaur organized a big programme to celebrate Modi’s victory. Patel claims Modi’s victory to be a one-man show as he reasons that the leader became more popular than his party. Patel sees hope in Modi, as he fondly declares his hearty desire, “We want him to come in the centre. We (Ghanchis) have MLAs but no ministers. We want him to help us politically and give us a stand.”

Gauri Shankar, president, Ghanchi Navyuvak Mandal Committee of Jodhpur feels that Modi got the returns of the development, which he accomplished in Gujarat. He says Modi’s work for Hindutva is his trademark which gave him this status, “Not only India but the whole world was focused on the fate of Narendra Modi in these polls.” Gauri Shankar wants Modi to lead Ghanchis of Rajasthan the same way he lead Gujarat, as he recalls “He (Modi) once said at a community event that you work whole heartedly for your cause to get big results.”

Bhimraj Bhati former MLA and congress leader admitted that it (Modi win) will act as a morale booster for the community and is a big personal achievement for Modi himself.

Dushyant Patel a doctor from Naguar a central Rajasthan district is, however, not as excited to see Modi win in Gujarat again and is rather disappointed to see him elected for the third time. I hold him responsible for the communal passions in the state and was surprised to see him victorious, he vents out, “One Modi is enough, and we don’t one more in Rajasthan.”