Will BJP, Congress and AAP Face Off in Gujarat Bypolls?
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Synopsis
The Gujarat by-elections promise a fierce competition as BJP, Congress, and AAP gear up for a triangular contest. With significant stakes on the line, each party is rallying their top candidates. Who will emerge victorious in this political showdown?
Key Takeaways
- Triangular Contest: The bypolls will see a competitive battle between BJP, Congress, and AAP.
- Key Candidates: Each party has fielded seasoned candidates with significant political backgrounds.
- Strategic Implications: The outcome may influence future political alignments in Gujarat.
- Election Dates: Voting is set for June 19, with results on June 23.
- Assembly Dynamics: The BJP currently dominates the Gujarat Assembly, holding 161 seats.
Ahmedabad, June 3 (NationPress) The upcoming by-elections for two significant Assembly seats in Gujarat are set to feature a triangular showdown among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Notably, the Congress, which is part of the INDIA alliance alongside AAP, has opted to contest independently.
On Monday, the final day for filing nominations, candidates from BJP, Congress, and AAP submitted their applications to the election authorities for the bypolls in the two constituencies of Kadi and Visavadar, slated for June 19.
The Kadi seat, reserved for Scheduled Castes, became vacant following the passing of sitting BJP MLA Karsanbhai Solanki on February 4.
Meanwhile, the Visavadar constituency was left open after sitting AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani departed the party in December 2023 and subsequently joined the BJP.
Election officials reported that 18 candidates, including those from national political parties, had submitted their nominations for the Kadi seat in Mehsana district, while 31 candidates vied for the Visavadar seat in Junagadh district between May 26 and June 2.
The BJP has chosen Rajendra Chavda for the Kadi Assembly seat and Kirit Patel for the Visavadar Assembly seat in these bypolls.
Rajendra Chavda has been an active member of the BJP since the 1980s, holding various positions such as President of the Mehsana taluka Scheduled Caste Cell and Secretary of the party's Mehsana district unit. He also served as director of the Gujarat Scheduled Caste Development Corporation from 2011 to 2017.
Kirit Patel previously held the positions of BJP's Junagadh district president and chairman of the Junagadh APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee).
In support of Kirit Patel, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel conducted a roadshow at Visavadar and accompanied him during the nomination submission.
At Kadi, former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and State Health Minister Rushikesh Patel participated in a roadshow supporting Rajendra Chavda prior to the nomination filing.
The Congress has put forth Ramesh Chavda and Nitin Ranpariya as its candidates for the Kadi and Visavadar Assembly constituencies, respectively.
Ramesh Chavda is a former Congress MLA from Kadi, having won the seat in 2012 but lost to BJP's Karsanbhai Solanki in 2017.
Ranpariya, who has been a member of the Junagadh district panchayat in the past, currently serves as the president of the Bhesan taluka Congress and is contesting an assembly election for the first time in his political career.
Both BJP and Congress candidates submitted their nomination papers to election officials at Kadi and Visavadar on Monday.
The AAP, led by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, fielded Jagdish Chavda from Kadi and Gopal Italia from Visavadar.
Gopal Italia, a former president of the Gujarat AAP, filed his nomination on May 31, while Jagdish Chavda submitted his papers on Monday.
The last day to withdraw nominations is June 5, and the counting of votes will occur on June 23.
In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the BJP currently holds 161 seats, Congress has 12, and AAP occupies 4, with one seat held by the Samajwadi Party and two by independents.
Point of View
I believe this triangular contest in Gujarat reflects the evolving dynamics of Indian politics. Each party's decision to field candidates independently or in alliance speaks volumes about their strategic positioning. The outcome will not only influence local governance but also set the tone for future elections across the nation.
NationPress
27/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key dates for the Gujarat bypolls?
The nominations were filed by June 2, with the last date for withdrawal on June 5. Voting is scheduled for June 19, and the counting of votes will take place on June 23.
Which parties are contesting in the Gujarat bypolls?
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are the main parties contesting the two high-stakes Assembly seats.
What are the constituencies involved in the bypolls?
The bypolls are taking place in the Kadi and Visavadar Assembly constituencies in Gujarat.
Who are the candidates for BJP in the bypolls?
The BJP has fielded Rajendra Chavda from Kadi and Kirit Patel from Visavadar for the bypolls.
What is the significance of these bypolls?
These bypolls are crucial as they can impact the balance of power in the Gujarat Assembly, where the BJP currently holds a majority.
