SURAT: The textile markets in the city may have reopened after Diwali vacation, but it will take some time for them to carry out any serious business transactions. As 60 per cent of textile trade is controlled by Rajasthani migrants in the city, a big chunk of cash is likely to flow out of Surat to Rajasthan where assembly elections have been announced. It is estimated that nearly Rs 200 crore worth cash will flow into Rajasthan from Surat besides a manpower of about 25,000 to help the political parties. Nearly 5,000 people are also likely to travel from the city to Marwad region to exercise their right to franchise.The country’s largest man-made fabric (MMF) hub in the city is dominated by Rajasthani traders and industrialists. Majority of textile shops are owned by people from Marwadi community and so is true about embroidery and textile processing units too. Many traders and textile industrialists are already camping in Rajasthan for the assembly elections.The migrant Rajasthani population in the Diamond City is estimated to be around 4 lakh. Out of this, nearly 1.5 lakh people are directly associated with the city’s textile sector. Majority of them are traders, industrialists and workers who belong to Marwad, Mevad and Shekhawati regions of Rajasthan Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association (FOSTTA) director, Jay Lal, said, “Migrant Rajasthanis in the city have their kith and kin in Rajasthan. Thus, it concerns them which party is going to govern the state. Though the number of people going to Rajasthan to campaign for their candidates is not that large, there is no denying the fact that huge amount of money does flow from Surat to Rajasthan during the elections. Till now, some 50 candidates of different parties have visited Surat with their supporters to collect donations and to also campaign. This is not happening for the first time.”Champalal Bothra, leader of Surat Textile Traders’ Association, said, “Around 100 candidates from different parts of Rajasthan are expected to visit Surat before the assembly elections on December 7. Many candidates have already started calling us for donation.”

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