Manjalpur bypoll: 7 candidates file 15 nominations, polling on July 30
Synopsis
The Manjalpur Assembly bypoll — triggered by the death of eight-time MLA Yogesh Patel — has drawn seven candidates and 15 nomination papers at close of nominations. With BJP fielding Satish Patel and Congress fielding former minister Bhikha Rabari, the 30 July poll shapes up as Gujarat's first Assembly-level litmus test since the vacancy arose.
Key Takeaways
Seven candidates filed 15 nomination papers for the Manjalpur Assembly bypoll in Gujarat on 13 July .
Nomination scrutiny is set for 14 July ; withdrawal deadline is 16 July .
Polling is on 30 July and vote counting on 3 August .
The seat fell vacant after veteran BJP MLA Yogesh Patel died on 2 June , having won eight consecutive elections .
BJP has nominated Satish Patel ; Congress has fielded former minister and GPCC vice-president Bhikha Rabari .
All candidates must submit a Form 26 affidavit disclosing assets, liabilities, qualifications, and criminal cases.
Seven candidates filed a total of 15 nomination papers on Monday, 13 July for the by-election to the Manjalpur Assembly constituency in Gujarat, marking the close of the nomination window under the schedule set by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The contest now moves to the scrutiny stage on Tuesday, 14 July.
Key Dates and Schedule
The Returning Officer confirmed that 13 July was the final day for filing nominations. Papers will be scrutinised on 14 July, and candidates may withdraw their nominations until 16 July. Polling is scheduled for 30 July, with votes to be counted on 3 August.
Candidates in the Fray
The seven candidates who submitted papers are Satyendra (Satish) Patel of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Paresh Brahmbhatt of the BJP, Ratnasagar Rajrajeshwar Dhulabhai of the BJP, Bhikha Rabari of the Indian National Congress (Congress), Dharmesh Patel of the Congress, Dinesh Vyas of the Right to Recall Party, and independent candidate Rathod Paresh Vinodkumar. The higher count of 15 papers against seven candidates reflects the permissible practice of filing multiple nomination sets before the deadline.
The Returning Officer also noted that every candidate is required, per ECI directions, to submit an affidavit in Form 26 disclosing assets, liabilities, educational qualifications, and any pending criminal cases.
Why the Seat Fell Vacant
The Manjalpur Assembly seat fell vacant following the death of veteran BJP MLA Yogesh Patel on 2 June. Patel had first represented the Raopura constituency before shifting to Manjalpur, winning eight consecutive Assembly elections and earning the distinction of being one of Vadodara's longest-serving legislators. His passing triggered the bypoll that now commands statewide attention.
Main Contest: BJP's Satish Patel vs Congress's Bhikha Rabari
The BJP has fielded Satish Patel as its official nominee, while the Congress has countered with Bhikha Rabari, a former state minister and Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) vice-president. Both candidates filed their papers earlier in the presence of senior party leaders following separate public programmes in Vadodara. This comes amid heightened organisational activity from both parties, signalling that neither side is treating the seat as a foregone conclusion.
What to Watch Next
With scrutiny on 14 July and the withdrawal deadline on 16 July, the final candidate list will crystallise before campaigning intensifies ahead of the 30 July poll. The bypoll is widely regarded as the first significant Assembly-level electoral test in Gujarat since the vacancy arose, and is expected to gauge the ground strength of both the BJP and the Congress in Vadodara.
Point of View
A former minister with organisational heft, signals a deliberate attempt to contest rather than concede. The real question is whether the BJP can transfer the personal loyalty Yogesh Patel commanded to a new face, or whether a sympathy wave alone will carry Satish Patel through. In Gujarat's current political climate, where the BJP's dominance is structural but not unchallenged at the micro level, even a reduced margin for the ruling party would be read as a signal worth watching ahead of the next full Assembly cycle.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Manjalpur Assembly bypoll being held?
The Manjalpur Assembly seat fell vacant after veteran BJP MLA Yogesh Patel died on 2 June. Patel had won eight consecutive elections from the constituency and was one of Vadodara's longest-serving legislators.
Who are the main candidates in the Manjalpur bypoll?
The BJP has fielded Satish Patel (Satyendra Patel) as its official candidate, while the Congress has nominated Bhikha Rabari, a former state minister and Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president. Five other candidates, including another BJP nominee and an independent, have also filed papers.
What are the key dates for the Manjalpur bypoll?
Nomination scrutiny is on 14 July, the withdrawal deadline is 16 July, polling is on 30 July, and vote counting is scheduled for 3 August.
Why were 15 nomination papers filed by only 7 candidates?
Under election rules, a candidate may file more than one set of nomination papers before the deadline. The seven candidates collectively submitted 15 papers to ensure validity in case any set is rejected during scrutiny.
What is Form 26 and why must candidates submit it?
Form 26 is a mandatory affidavit required by the Election Commission of India in which every candidate discloses details of assets, liabilities, educational qualifications, and any pending criminal cases. It is a transparency measure applicable to all elections.
