Manjalpur bypoll: Congress alleges MCC violation after BJP-Congress clash at polling booth
Synopsis
A bypoll that was already a straight two-party fight turned briefly volatile when BJP and Congress workers clashed outside a Vadodara polling booth, with both sides filing counter-allegations. The incident puts the Election Commission's on-ground enforcement under scrutiny — and sets up a potential legal flashpoint if the margin is tight.
Key Takeaways
A brief physical scuffle broke out between BJP and Congress workers outside Panchsheel Vidyalaya , Manjalpur , on 30 July during the Assembly bye-election.
Congress alleged BJP workers in party scarves were beating drums and escorting voters near the booth, violating the Model Code of Conduct .
The BJP counter-alleged that Congress workers assaulted its supporters and attempted a booth capture — denied by Congress.
Police Inspector Kirit Chaudhary confirmed no detentions were made and polling continued uninterrupted; around 10–12 members of both parties were involved.
The bye-election is a straight contest between BJP's Satish Patel and Congress's Bhikha Rabari , called after the death of MLA Yogesh Patel .
Voter turnout stood at 21.66 per cent by 2 pm , according to the Election Commission of India .
A brief clash erupted between workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress outside a polling station in Manjalpur Assembly constituency, Vadodara, on Thursday, 30 July, during voting for the Assembly bye-election. The Congress alleged that BJP supporters violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by campaigning near the booth, while the BJP countered that Congress workers had assaulted its members and attempted a booth capture.
What Happened Outside Panchsheel Vidyalaya
The incident took place outside Panchsheel Vidyalaya, near the Vaishnodevi Society gate, where BJP workers were seen wearing party scarves and beating drums while escorting voters to the polling booth. The Congress alleged this amounted to active campaigning in the vicinity of the polling station — a direct violation of election rules. Congress workers objected to their presence, triggering a heated verbal exchange that escalated briefly into a physical scuffle between supporters of both parties.
What the Parties Alleged
Vadodara Congress spokesperson Nishant Raval said the party had filed a formal complaint with election authorities. 'BJP leaders are openly campaigning in the Manjalpur Assembly constituency. We are reaching the Collector's office to submit a representation regarding the violation of the Model Code of Conduct,' he said. The BJP, in turn, alleged that Congress workers had assaulted its supporters and tried to capture the polling booth — an allegation the Congress denied. BJP workers maintained they were conducting a voter awareness campaign, not political campaigning.
Police Response and Ground Situation
Police Inspector Kirit Chaudhary of Manjalpur Police Station confirmed that the situation was brought under control swiftly and polling was not disrupted. 'Outside the Vaishnodevi Society gate, Congress and BJP workers clashed briefly. Congress was alleging that the BJP was violating the Model Code of Conduct and carrying out campaigning to gather votes,' he said. Chaudhary added that no detentions had been made. 'There is no detention as of now. The crowd has been managed and brought under control. Voting has been continuing at the nearby school. Around 10 to 12 members of both parties were present. At present, there is no situation of overcrowding or further scuffle, and the police are investigating the matter,' he confirmed.
Context: Why This Seat Is Being Contested
The Manjalpur bye-election was necessitated by the death of veteran BJP legislator and former minister Yogesh Patel. The contest is a straight fight between the BJP's Satish Patel and the Congress's Bhikha Rabari. This comes amid heightened political sensitivity around bypoll conduct, where both national parties have repeatedly traded MCC violation accusations in Gujarat in recent electoral cycles.
Voter Turnout and Broader Polling Picture
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), voter turnout across Manjalpur reached 21.66 per cent by 2 pm on polling day, with the rest of the constituency reporting peaceful voting. The brief clash at Panchsheel Vidyalaya did not disrupt the electoral process at the station itself, officials indicated.
With the ECI complaint filed and police investigation under way, the outcome of the MCC inquiry could have implications for how the bye-election result is contested, should either side pursue post-poll legal remedies.
Point of View
Police restore order, and the Election Commission is left to adjudicate. What makes this incident worth watching is the counter-allegation of booth capture: if pursued formally, it could provide grounds for a post-result legal challenge in what is already a high-stakes, symbolically charged seat. The ECI's response to the Congress complaint will signal how seriously it is treating conduct violations in a constituency where the BJP is defending a legacy seat. Bypoll losses, even in safe seats, carry outsized political messaging — which is precisely why booth-level tensions tend to run hotter than in general elections.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did BJP and Congress workers clash in Manjalpur on 30 July?
The clash occurred outside Panchsheel Vidyalaya polling station during the Manjalpur Assembly bye-election, after Congress workers alleged that BJP supporters wearing party scarves and beating drums were campaigning near the booth in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The dispute turned into a brief physical scuffle between around 10 to 12 workers of both parties.
What action did the Congress take after the alleged MCC violation?
Vadodara Congress spokesperson Nishant Raval said the party filed a formal complaint with election authorities and proceeded to the Collector's office to submit a representation regarding the Model Code of Conduct violation. The BJP denied any wrongdoing, saying its workers were conducting a voter awareness campaign.
Was anyone arrested or detained after the Manjalpur polling booth clash?
No. Police Inspector Kirit Chaudhary of Manjalpur Police Station confirmed that no one was detained in connection with the incident. The crowd was dispersed and polling continued without disruption at the nearby school.
Why is the Manjalpur bye-election being held?
The bye-election was necessitated by the death of veteran BJP MLA and former minister Yogesh Patel, who held the Manjalpur seat. The contest is a straight fight between BJP candidate Satish Patel and Congress candidate Bhikha Rabari.
What was the voter turnout in the Manjalpur bye-election?
According to the Election Commission of India, voter turnout in Manjalpur reached 21.66 per cent by 2 pm on polling day, with voting reported as peaceful across the rest of the constituency despite the isolated clash near Panchsheel Vidyalaya.
