Ahmedabad: State election commission had announced to hold elections to all self-government bodies in Gujarat in two phases.
Polling in six municipal corporations will be held on February 21. The second phase will see elections in 81 municipalities, 31 district panchayats and 231 taluka panchayats on February 28.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and Aam Aadmi Party are contesting these elections. Generally, only two political parties, BJP and Congress, have been contesting elections in Gujarat.
But this time, people have got a third option in Aam Aadmi Party, which has done campaigning right up to the polling booth level and presented Delhi model before the voters.
Battleground of municipalities
There are 7,245 candidates in the fray contesting for 680 seats of 81 municipalities. Of these, as many as 95 candidates have been declared elected unopposed. The remaining 7,150 candidates will be contesting for the rest of the seats. Simultaneously by-election for 17 seats of 13 municipalities are also going to be held in which there are 46 candidates.
Of them, two candidates have been declared elected unopposed. Now 44 candidates remain in the fray.
Scene of district panchayat poll battleground
As many as 4,612 persons had filed nomination papers for 980 seats of 31 district panchayats of these 1753 nomination papers were found invalid and the remaining 2,859 forms were valid. From these, 179 persons withdrew their nomination forms. As a result, a total of 2,655 candidates remained in the fray. However, of the candidates on 25 seats were declared elected unopposed. Thus now 2,630 candidates remain in the contest.
Thousands of candidates in taluka panchayat poll arena
As many as 20,087 nomination forms were filed for 4,774 seats of 231 taluka panchayats. Of these, 6,988 forms were found invalid while 717 candidates withdrew their nomination. Now there are 12,265 candidates vying for 4,774 seats of 231 taluka panchayats. However, candidates on 117 seats were declared elected unopposed.
Finally, 12,148 candidates remain in the contest. By-election to three seats of three taluka panchayats are also being held simultaneously for which five candidates are contesting while on one seat the candidate has been declared elected unopposed. Now the by-election for only four seats are to be held.
For 81 municipalities, BJP has fielded 2,555 candidates, the Congress 2,247, Bahujan Samaj Party 109 and Aam Aadmi Party 719 candidates.
For the 31 district panchayats, BJP has fielded 954 candidates, Congress 937, Bahujan Samaj Party 88 and AAP 304 candidates.
For 231 taluka panchayats, BJP has fielded 4,652 candidates, Congress 4,594, Aam Aadmi Party 1,067 and Bahujan Samaj Party 255 candidates.
Farmers in Gujarat are expected to vote against the BJP in the district and taluka panchayat elections, making it tough for the saffron party. People now also have the option to choose from not just the BJP and Congress but AAP as well in district and taluka panchayat elections. The ground report suggests that AAP is likely to open its account in district and taluka panchayat bodies.
BJP has been in power in Gujarat for the last four terms. During the BJP rule, cities have shined while not much change has happened in villages. Rural roads are in bad shape. It will not be surprising if this has a direct impact on the district and taluka panchayat elections. It would be surprising if rural voters decide to support the BJP on the issue of Hindutva.
BJP had recently conducted an internal survey, according to which it will have an easy win in the six municipal corporations but a difficult climb in district and taluka panchayats and municipalities.
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