The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has once again asserted its dominance in Gujarat’s local body elections, securing a decisive victory in the Junagadh Municipal Corporation by winning 48 out of 60 seats in the February 16 polls.
According to the State Election Commission (SEC), eight seats were won unopposed by the BJP before polling began, while voting took place for the remaining 52 seats. Out of these, the BJP clinched 40 seats, while the main opposition party secured 11 seats, and one independent candidate emerged victorious from Ward No. 9.
In Sanand Municipality, elections were held for 27 out of 28 seats, with one seat won unopposed by the BJP before polling. Out of the 27 contested seats, the BJP secured 24, while the Congress managed to win only three.
Meanwhile, in Bavla Municipality, the BJP reached the halfway mark of 14 out of 28 seats, while the Congress secured 13 seats, and one seat went to a BSP candidate. This close contest could lead to an interesting political scenario in Bavla, as no party has achieved a clear majority yet.
The third municipality in Ahmedabad district, Dhandhuka, also went to the polls, but its results were still awaited, according to the State Election Commission.
In Dakor Municipality, a political deadlock emerged as the BJP secured 12 seats, while independent candidates won 14 seats, leaving no party with a clear majority. The Congress failed to win a single seat in Dakor, marking a significant setback for the opposition in this region.
Additionally, the BJP swept the district panchayat by-elections, winning all nine seats across Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Bharuch, Dangs, and Botad. Notably, in Panchmahal, the BJP candidate won unopposed.
These local body elections were also significant as they marked the first implementation of newly introduced reservation policies for women, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in several local bodies.
(Inputs from IANS)
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