The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced a setback in Gujarat as the Congress clinched its first Lok Sabha victory in the state, thanks to Geniben Thakor for her significant win. Breaking the BJP’s stronghold, Thakor secured the Banaskantha Lok Sabha seat, marking a historic moment for the Congress in Gujarat.
Geniben Thakor, born on January 1, 1975, is a two-time Congress MLA known for her vocal stance on women’s issues and her firm position against alcohol consumption. Graduating from Jain Vishva Bharati Institute Ladnun, Thakor entered politics in 2012 and gained prominence after defeating senior BJP candidate Shankar Chaudhary in the 2017 state elections.
Thakor’s victory, with a margin of 30,406 votes, underscores her strong grassroots support and the backing she received from the Thakor community, a significant presence in Banaskantha. Notably, Banaskantha has historically been a BJP stronghold, making Thakor’s win even more noteworthy.
While the state Congress celebrated Thakor’s win, she emphasized that her triumph was a victory for the constituents of her constituency. Despite financial constraints, Thakor contested the general elections, crowdfunding her campaign after Congress faced financial constraints due to government seizures in an Income Tax case.
Thakor’s win holds significance as she is the sole Congress candidate to secure a seat from Gujarat in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Political analysts attribute her success to her strong grassroots ties and the immense support she garnered from the Thakor community.
Thakor’s win breaks the BJP’s dominance in Gujarat, a state considered a stronghold of the ruling party. In previous Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had swept Gujarat, making Thakor’s victory a significant milestone for the Congress.
Geniben Thakor’s triumph in Banaskantha marks a turning point in Gujarat’s political landscape. Her win not only signifies a break in BJP dominance but also highlights the Congress’s resurgence in the state. Thakor’s victory underscores the power of grassroots connections and community support in shaping electoral outcomes.
