Apr 11, 2026 : The political atmosphere across Gujarat has heated up significantly as the local self-government elections enter a crucial phase, marked by record nomination filings, internal party conflicts, and dramatic political developments.
Record Surge in Nominations
On the final day of filing nominations, the election process saw an unexpected surge, with 9,139 forms filed within just 4.5 hours. Despite this, 221 seats received no nominations, raising the possibility of several candidates being elected unopposed. The deadline for filing nominations was set at 3:00 PM.
BJP Candidate Announcements Trigger Reactions
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced candidates across multiple districts, including Palitana, Bharuch, Surat, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot. While a mix of new and repeat candidates was introduced, the announcements led to widespread dissatisfaction within the party:
- In Ahmedabad, allegations surfaced that tickets were distributed unfairly, with claims of monetary transactions ranging from ₹25 to ₹30 lakh.
- In Surat, long-time party workers expressed anger after being overlooked for new entrants.
- In Junagadh and Aravalli, several leaders resigned after being denied tickets.
- In some regions, even senior नेताओं and former office bearers were dropped.
Congress Faces Internal Setbacks
The Congress party also faced significant challenges during the election phase:
- In Rajkot, several Congress leaders, including candidate Bhumika Khunt, switched to BJP at the last moment.
- In Vadodara, internal dissent grew as leaders threatened to contest independently.
- In Mehsana, veteran leader Manubhai Parmar resigned, citing neglect of loyal workers.
- In Ahmedabad, multiple Youth Congress members stepped down due to dissatisfaction over ticket allocation.
High-Profile Ticket Cuts and Political Shifts
Several prominent leaders across parties were denied tickets, including mayors, deputy mayors, and senior official in Ahmedabad and Vadodara. Many constituencies saw new faces replacing established leaders, indicating a strategic shift by political parties.
Protests, Boycotts, and Local Anger
Public dissatisfaction was visible in several regions:
- Villagers in Mahisagar and Bardoli announced election boycotts over lack of development.
- Protests erupted in Veraval and other areas over ticket distribution issues.
- Internal conflicts were reported in multiple BJP units, with workers openly expressing anger on social media and WhatsApp groups.
Law & Order and Unusual Incidents
- In Ahmedabad, a robbery involving a passenger traveling in a rickshaw raised safety concerns.
- A jailed former Congress corporator was granted court permission to file nomination under police custody.
- In Rajkot, authorities detained over 150 individuals as a preventive measure to maintain law and order.
