Bhavnagar, April 16 (NationPress) Approximately 700 candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been announced as elected unopposed throughout Gujarat in advance of the 2026 local self-government elections, according to the party's state President, Jagdish Vishwakarma, during a campaign event.

The nomination withdrawal deadline passed on April 15, with the BJP asserting that it had already secured nearly 700 seats without facing any competition.

These positions cover various levels of local governance, such as municipalities, taluka panchayats, and district panchayats.

If this claim is officially verified, it would represent a substantial early lead for the party prior to the elections.

Addressing audiences in Gariyadhar and Palitana in Bhavnagar district, Vishwakarma credited this success to what he termed as public confidence and the party's organizational effectiveness.

He noted that opposition parties have either opted out of the race or failed to present credible candidates against the BJP.

“The Congress possesses neither vision nor a mission; their only goal is to mislead the public,” he stated.

He also remarked, “The BJP engages in developmental politics, whereas the opposition only propagates negativity, rumors, and falsehoods. The opposition merely makes promises, while the BJP achieves tangible development.”

In his speech, Vishwakarma drew a comparison between the past and present scenarios in the Saurashtra region.

He pointed out that previously, women had to travel distances of three to four kilometers to collect water, and electricity supply was inconsistent, especially in the evenings.

“Now, under the BJP administration, tap water is accessible to every household, and electricity is consistently supplied,” he emphasized.

He also criticized members of the opposition, alleging they fail to address public concerns in the Assembly and instead disseminate misleading content on social media.

Further criticizing the Congress, he claimed it lacks both direction and intent, accusing it of resorting to “negativity, rumors, and lies.”

Highlighting the BJP's internal democracy, he stated, “Even a grassroots worker can rise to the position of party president within our organization.”

Referring to a past comment by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who mentioned that only a fraction of welfare funds reached intended beneficiaries, Vishwakarma explained that the system has evolved, with direct financial aid now deposited into bank accounts under the current Central administration.

He showcased several government initiatives, noting that over one million homes in Gujarat have been equipped with solar panels, allowing families to enjoy free electricity.

He also mentioned the Ayushman health scheme, under which beneficiaries can receive up to Rs five lakh annually, with an additional Rs five lakh support from the state government.

Vishwakarma referenced various schemes related to roads, water supply, drainage, farmer assistance, support for widows, the Suryoday Yojana, Mudra loans, the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, and financial aid for students pursuing higher education through the state.

Quoting the Prime Minister, he affirmed: “The goal of providing toilets to every household has been accomplished, which he termed a measure ensuring dignity for women.”

Encouraging participation in the elections set for April 26, Vishwakarma called for voters to back BJP candidates in substantial numbers.

“I urge everyone to vote massively for the BJP and ensure the success of all our candidates,” he concluded.