BJP announces five names for by-polls

Gujarat BJP spokesperson IK Jadeja on Saturday said that central election committee has decided on five names for candidates for by-polls to be held on seven seats of state legislative assembly. These include Vashram Harjibhai Koradi for Chotila, Jaysukh Thesia for Dhoraji, Natwarsinh Odhavbhai Vala for Kodinar, Kalyansinh Daherasinh Chauhan for Dehgam and Bhavsinh Rathod for Sami.

Meanwhile Surat’s ward 34 also gears up for close fight in civic by-polls. After sitting MLA Champak Patel’s death last month, BJP did not allot his son a ticket, who then joined the Congress. A close contest is likely between the BJP and Congress for the upcoming by-polls to civic ward no 34 (Bhedwad-Bhestan-Pandesara-Vadod) in Surat for the September 6 by-poll. The by-poll was necessitated after its incumbent BJP councillor Champak Patel died last month. Patel was representing the ward from many years having won the seat on a Congress ticket in the past, then as an independent and finally as a BJP nominee in the 2005 civic elections.

However, Patel’s son, Satish Patel, who was considered as a strong contender for the BJP ticket for the by-polls, was disappointed as the party refused him a ticket ignoring his wishes and instead decided to field Vipul Patel as its candidate.

A miffed Satish then got in touch with the opposition Congress leaders, who readily agreed to nominate him as the party candidate for the poll. Patel, accompanied by a large number of party leaders and workers, filed his candidature for the election on Saturday, the last day of filing nominations.

According to officials, 72,112 voters - 25,413 females and 46,699 males - will cast their votes to elect the third councillor from the ward. The counting of votes will be held on September 8. The Congress’s decision to field Satish Patel as its candidate has added some interest to the contest, which was expected to be a cakewalk for the ruling BJP. While BJP leaders still expressed confidence of winning easily, Congress leaders said they expect the fight to be close.

“We have fielded a good candidate, and we expect a close contest,” Surat Congress president Sunil Bhukhanwala, said.

While BJP is still the favourite to win, a lot would also depend on the performance of NCP and MJP candidates, and independents in the fray. However, the result could be surprising if any of these candidates can bag a good chunk of votes.

With inputs from Surat