Ahmedabad, 25 January 2013

It seems Gujarat Congress is in deep shock after one more defeat in the state assembly elections. But has the party given up in Gujarat? No major leader comes to television studios to defend the party anymore. During the recent controversy of Digvijay Singh and Sushil Kumar Shinde’s statements, novice and recently appointed person on media panel Jayrajsinh appeared on TV channels to represent Congress again and again! And Gujarat Congress’s recent dharna programme against CNG gas price hike witnessed poor attendance. Contrary to pre-election time, there are lesser press releases. Aggression level would definitely not match the pre-election time, but here it seems it is even lower than the normal days. When Rahul Gandhi was declared Vice President, there were no major celebrations (to serve cameras) seen at Congress offices!

And how such mood is showing its effect on the ground? Look at these figures. According to Gujarat BJP spokesperson, the party has won 34 seats unopposed on the last day of filing form for the 10 February Municipality and Municipal Corporation elections/by-elections.

BJP won 20 out of total 21 seats of Surendranagar district’s Halvad Municipality unopposed. Congress didn’t field its single candidate in Halvad. Only one seat that would witness the poll has independent candidate fighting against the BJP candidate. Halvad is the place where Congress man was MLA during 2007-2012. Even the Municipality was ruled by Congress. But now the BJP is ruling party here, even before elections!

Similarly BJP has become the largest single party in Kutiyana Municipality elections in Porbandar district by winning 10 out of 21 seats unopposed. Kutiyana is represented by NCP MLA Kandhal Jadeja. Congress had allotted this seat to NCP in the last election. Porbandar district is going to witness Lok Sabha by-poll in next six months.

In Navsari district’s Gandevi Municipality, one general seat has witnessed unopposed victory of BJP’s Mukesh Rana.

In Rajkot district’s Dhoraji municipality ward no.11 BJP’s woman candidate and one more candidate – thus total two candidate are declared elected unopposed without election. It should be mentioned that Dhoraji is represented in Gujarat assembly by Congress MLA Vitthal Radadia who wanted to become leader of opposition. Radadia was not selected as leader of opposition by the high command in Delhi. His some major supporters have already joined BJP last week. Radadia himself also may join BJP before the Porbandar Lok Sabha by-poll. Radadia’s son is MLA from Jetpur. Unopposed victory or BJP’s two candidates under nose of Radadia in Dhoraji tells larger story.

BJP has also secured Anand district’s Vallabh Vidyanagar Municipality’s four seats, Od Municipality’s one seat, Mahudha Municipality’s two seats, Jafarabad Municipality’s nine seats, Talaja Municipality’s three seats unopposed.

In Junagadh Municipal Corporation by-elections, the party has won two seats unopposed. Junagadh is only Congress ruled city in Gujarat. The victorious candidates of BJP represent Muslim dominated area. They are Wahabbhai Qureshi and Shehnazben Qureshi.

In another development Congress has lost majority in Mandvi taluka panchayat in south Gujarat after five Congress Councillor openly supported BJP.