Vadodara, April 26: Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Yusuf Pathan made a striking political statement on Sunday after casting his vote alongside his family in the Gujarat local body elections, declaring that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cannot be dislodged from power in the state for the next 40 to 50 years. His remarks, grounded in an acknowledgment of public sentiment and governance performance, have drawn significant attention across political circles.

Pathan's Candid Assessment of BJP's Dominance in Gujarat

Speaking to reporters after exercising his franchise, Pathan said, "I will say that the BJP cannot be removed from power in Gujarat for the next 40–50 years. Whatever it is, facts are facts. The reality is that the party which is strong, works for the people, and is liked by them continues to stay in power."

He elaborated further, noting that across India, parties that resonate with voters on development and public welfare continue to win elections. "People here like the BJP and vote for it based on development, so the BJP will continue to remain in power in Gujarat," he added.

The statement is particularly notable coming from a sitting TMC MP — an opposition party leader openly conceding the BJP's near-unassailable grip over Gujarat, a state the saffron party has governed continuously since 1995, making it one of the longest uninterrupted ruling streaks by any party in a major Indian state.

Pathan Draws Parallel Between Gujarat and West Bengal

Pathan also drew a pointed comparison between Gujarat and West Bengal, the state he represents in Parliament. He argued that just as BJP enjoys mass support in Gujarat, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's TMC commands similar loyalty in West Bengal due to its grassroots connect and welfare-oriented politics.

"In West Bengal, the TMC party is preferred by the people because it raises their voices and works among the public," he stated, positioning both parties as regional powerhouses anchored in voter trust rather than political machinery alone.

Addressing questions around voter turnout figures in West Bengal, Pathan said that even if 92 lakh additional voters were factored in, overall turnout would still hover around 80–81 per cent. "There is no special 'magic' in the numbers; it is simply a matter of calculation and percentage adjustment," he clarified, apparently responding to ongoing debates over voter roll discrepancies in the state.

Gujarat Local Body Elections 2025: Scale and Significance

Gujarat is currently witnessing one of its largest local governance exercises, with elections being held simultaneously across municipal corporations, municipalities, and panchayati raj institutions. The polling, conducted using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), began at 7 a.m. and continued until 6 p.m. on Sunday, with vote counting scheduled for April 28.

The elections cover nearly 10,000 seats and involve over 4 crore registered voters across the state. Key urban centres including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, and several other districts are witnessing active polling, with thousands of booths operational under multi-tier security arrangements.

Election authorities have deployed large police contingents, quick response teams (QRTs), and digital monitoring systems to ensure smooth and transparent conduct of the polls — a logistical feat given the sheer scale of the exercise.

BJP Leaders Cast Votes, Urge Public Participation

In Nadiad, BJP MLA and Minister Sanjaysinh Mahida exercised his franchise at Kamla Primary School. After voting, he appealed to citizens to participate actively in the democratic process, saying, "Today I cast my vote in my village. I request everyone to come forward and vote."

The BJP's campaign across Gujarat's local body elections has focused heavily on infrastructure development, urban planning, and welfare delivery — themes that Pathan himself acknowledged as reasons for the party's deep-rooted popularity in the state.

Broader Political Context: Why Pathan's Words Matter

It is rare for an opposition MP to publicly concede such long-term dominance to a rival party. Pathan's remarks reflect a broader reality: the BJP has won every Gujarat Assembly election since 1995, including the 2022 Gujarat elections where it secured a historic 156 out of 182 seats — its best-ever performance in the state.

This comes amid a national political landscape where the BJP is facing competitive battles in states like Bihar, Delhi, and Maharashtra, making Gujarat its most reliable electoral fortress. Pathan's candid acknowledgment may also be seen as a strategic signal — framing TMC's dominance in West Bengal as equally legitimate and entrenched, pushing back against BJP's ambitions in that state.

With results for the Gujarat local body elections expected on April 28, political observers will closely watch whether the BJP consolidates its urban strongholds or faces any surprise setbacks at the grassroots level — a potential early indicator of voter mood ahead of future state and national contests.