With the Congress announcing its candidates for five of the eight Assembly seats for by-polls in Gujarat, the state is set for what is being seen as a big electoral battle between BJP and Congress. Remaining three candidates would also be announced by Congress soon. Voting will take place on 3 November in all eight assembly seats.
As per the list released by the Congress, tickets have been given to Dr Shantilal Sanghani from Abdasa in Kutch district, Jayantilal Patel from Morbi and Suresh Kotadia from Dhari, while Mohanbhai Solanki and Kiritsinh Jadeja are the party’s picks from Gadhada (SC constituency) and Karjan seats respectively. The ruling BJP had declared its candidates on seven of the eight seats, including five turncoats from the Congress.
The bypolls on eight seats became necessary in view of resignations by Congress MLAs after the announcement of Rajya Sabha elections earlier this year. The last date for filing of nomination papers is October 16.
Meanwhile, the BJP is still trying to find a winnable candidate for the Limbadi seat. Sources said that since BJP is feeling a bit nervous on this seat so it has to give ticket to a Koli or Kshatriya candidate. Minister Parshottam Solanki is said to be lobbying for his brother Hira Solanki to get the ticket from Limbadi seat.
In a calculated strategy, the Congress has fielded Patidar candidates in three of the eight seats. It has allotted tickets keeping in mind the caste equations. While Congress has not yet decided on the candidates for the Kaprada, Limbadi and Dang seats, it is becoming difficult for the BJP to field a candidate for the Limbadi seat.
So far, Kiritsinh Rana’s name has been decided but the political equations have changed at the last minute due to which the state leadership is also brainstorming. That Koli voters are influential in this seat cannot be ignored by the BJP.
Another turncoat Soma Ganda Patel is vying for a ticket but the BJP is not in the mood to give him a ticket as he is now seeking a ticket for his daughterin-law Sunita Patel. Another contender Shankar Vegad is also seeking a ticket from this seat. It is said that BJP is waiting for Congress’ candidate from that constituency.
Dr. Shantilal Sanghani has been selected for Abdasa. The seat will be contested by BJP’s Pradyumansinh Jadeja and Congress candidate Dr. Shantilal Sanghani. It will be a battle between Kshatriyas and Patidars.