Over 700 BJP candidates elected unopposed ahead of Gujarat local body election, claims party chief
Ahead of the upcoming local self-Government elections in Gujarat scheduled for April 26, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed a significant political advantage, with around 700 of its candidates elected unopposed across the state.
State BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma described the development as unprecedented, stating that such a large number of uncontested victories had not been witnessed in Gujarat’s electoral history before. He attributed this outcome to the strong public confidence in the party among the state’s 65 million residents. The final day for withdrawal of nominations saw dramatic scenes unfold across several parts of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad. Reports of high-voltage political activity emerged, with the Congress allegedly attempting to prevent its candidates from withdrawing by keeping them in resorts at multiple locations.
Despite these efforts, several Congress candidates reportedly arrived under police protection at election offices in cities such as Vadodara, Surat, Dabhoi, and Gondal, and proceeded to withdraw their nominations.
The widespread withdrawals paved the way for numerous BJP candidates to secure victory without contest, underscoring the party’s organisational strength and influence ahead of the polls.
The developments have intensified political debate in the state, with questions being raised by opposition parties regarding the circumstances under which these uncontested wins were secured, even as the BJP projects it as a reflection of popular support.
