Ahmedabad, Apr 15 (PTI) The BJP on Wednesday captured three municipalities in Gujarat even before polling due to rival candidates withdrawing from the race or their nominations getting rejected after scrutiny, officials said.
The three urban local bodies — Kadi, Unjha and Gandevi — are currently controlled by the BJP.
The saffron party crossed the majority mark in Unjha municipality in Mehsana district with 22 out of 36 seats in 9 wards going uncontested.
Today was the last day to withdraw nominations.
Election officer Biren Patel said 14 nominations were withdrawn by Wednesday, while 44 forms were rejected during scrutiny.
“16 seats across four wards were declared completely unopposed, while six others saw partial opposition. Thus, 22 out of 36 seats have been declared unopposed. Polling will be held for the remaining 14 seats on April 26,” he said.
In Kadi municipality in Mehsana, the BJP won 28 out of 36 seats uncontested after withdrawals by independents and other candidates.
As per the data shared by the State Election Commission, 23 forms were rejected while 5 candidates withdrew from the race.
Of the total nine wards, the BJP bagged seven wards unopposed, while election will take place for eight seats in two wards.
BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Nitin Patel said several opposition candidates were persuaded to withdraw for the sake of Kadi’s development.
Calling this unprecedented, he said, “To the best of my knowledge, Kadi is the first municipality in Gujarat where BJP has secured a two-thirds majority right from the start.” In Gandevi municipality in Navsari district, nomination forms of 16 Congress candidates were rejected, said Election officer Mitesh Patel.
“There are a total of 24 seats across six wards. While one candidate withdrew his candidature today, we rejected forms of 16 Congress candidates for mainly two reasons — failing to provide party’s mandate or not attaching affidavits. Now, out of total 24 seats, 22 are uncontested as there are no rivals against BJP candidates. Election will take place on two seats of ward no 1 and 4,” Patel said.
Polling will be held on April 26, while counting of votes is scheduled for April 28.
The elections will cover 34 district panchayats, 260 taluka panchayats, 84 municipalities and 15 municipal corporations, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, making it one of the largest electoral exercises in the state. PTI COR PJT PD KRK
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