How is Voting Progressing in Gujarat’s Kadi and Visavadar Assembly Bypolls?

Ahmedabad, June 19 (NationPress) Voting is currently taking place in two significant Assembly constituencies of Gujarat -- Kadi and Visavadar -- as by-elections commenced early Thursday morning.

Polling kicked off at 7 a.m. and will run until 6 p.m., with stringent security and administrative measures established throughout both constituencies.

As per the Election Commission of India, Visavadar has recorded a voter turnout of 12.10 percent, while Kadi observed 9.05 percent polling by 9 a.m. Both constituencies are experiencing close races, with the BJP nominating Rajendra Chavda from Kadi and Kiritbhai Patel from Visavadar.

In Kadi, located in Mehsana district, 294 polling stations have been established to accommodate 2,89,927 registered voters. More than 1,900 polling staff have been assigned to oversee the electoral process.

In Visavadar, situated in Junagadh district, voting is taking place across 17 urban and 277 rural locations. The total number of registered voters here is 2,61,092, with 1,884 booths set up to facilitate polling.

The results for the bypolls in both constituencies will be announced on June 23.

The Kadi and Visavadar Assembly constituencies, currently drawing attention due to the ongoing bypolls, represent two politically and demographically diverse regions of Gujarat -- North Gujarat and Saurashtra -- each possessing its unique electoral dynamics and importance.

Kadi is a Scheduled Caste-reserved seat predominantly characterized by rural and semi-urban areas.

The constituency has around 2.9 lakh registered voters, spread across 294 polling stations. It features a significant Dalit population, particularly sub-castes such as Valmiki and Rohit, in addition to OBC groups like Thakors and a notable presence of Patidars. Politically, Kadi has been a bastion of the BJP, firmly rooted in North Gujarat.

This seat became vacant following the passing of sitting BJP MLA Karsanbhai Solanki in February 2024. The BJP has nominated Rajendra Chavda in the current bypoll, while the Congress and AAP are contesting, albeit with limited local influence. Key issues in the constituency include caste representation, irrigation challenges (as Mehsana is a drought-prone area), unemployment, and rural development.

This seat is being closely monitored for Dalit voter mobilisation and its implications for the BJP’s social coalition in North Gujarat.

Conversely, Visavadar, located in Junagadh district of the Saurashtra region, is a general (unreserved) seat with a complex political background. The constituency has around 2.6 lakh voters and nearly 1,884 polling booths across 17 urban and 277 rural areas. Patidars form the dominant caste group here, followed by Kolis, Maldharis, and other OBCs.

Visavadar holds symbolic significance in Gujarat’s political landscape, having once been represented by former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel. The seat has experienced frequent shifts in party dominance, alternating between the BJP, Congress, and AAP in recent years. In 2022, Bhupendra Bhayani of AAP won the seat but later resigned and joined the BJP.

The BJP has nominated Kiritbhai Patel this time, while opposition parties aim to leverage voter dissatisfaction stemming from the defection.

Key issues in Visavadar include farmer distress, water scarcity, rural infrastructure, and the credibility of political representatives. Voter turnout and sentiment are being closely scrutinized as a bellwether for political undercurrents in Saurashtra, a region often regarded as influential in state politics.