BJP Sweeps Gujarat Local Body Polls, Congress Suffers Major Setback

GG News Bureau
Ahmedabad, 19th Feb: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a resounding victory in the Gujarat local body elections, winning the Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC), 60 out of 68 municipalities, and all three taluka panchayats where polling was held on February 16.

In a major political shift, the BJP wrested control of more than a dozen municipalities from the Congress, further cementing its dominance in Gujarat, where it had previously swept the 2022 assembly elections and secured 25 of 26 Lok Sabha seats last year.

The Congress managed to win only one municipality—Salaya in Devbhumi Dwarka district—while the Samajwadi Party (SP) outperformed expectations by winning two municipalities.

BJP Retains Junagadh, Expands Grip on Local Bodies
In the 60-member Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC), the BJP retained power with 48 seats, while the Congress secured 11, and one seat went to an independent candidate, according to data from the State Election Commission (SEC).

Of the 68 municipalities up for grabs, the BJP won 60, while the SP secured two and the Congress just one. Five municipalities—Mangrol, Dakor, Anklav, Chhotaudepur, and Bavla—delivered inconclusive results.

PM Modi Hails BJP’s Win, Congress Faces Drubbing
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reacting to the victory, said Gujarat’s trust in the BJP remains “unbreakable and growing stronger.” He described the mandate as a reaffirmation of the “politics of development.”

Gujarat BJP president C.R. Paatil credited the victory to PM Modi’s leadership, Amit Shah’s guidance, and the Bhupendra Patel government’s welfare policies. Chief Minister Patel vowed to continue working for the state’s progress.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil conceded defeat but maintained that the party’s vote share had improved in several areas, including the JMC.

Congress Loses Strongholds, SP Gains Footing
The BJP successfully captured several municipalities that were under Congress rule, including Radhanpur, Mahudha, Manavadar, Rajula, and Dhoraji. In 2018, the Congress had won 14 municipalities outright and controlled two more with independent support.

The SP, under its Gujarat MLA Kandhal Jadeja, made inroads by winning the Kutiyana and Ranavav municipalities in Porbandar district. Jadeja, who had defected from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to the SP before the 2022 Assembly polls, played a crucial role in the party’s local success.

Uncontested Seats and Future Alliances
The SEC reported that 213 seats across various local bodies were declared uncontested after rival candidates withdrew their nominations, many in BJP’s favor. The BJP also claimed unopposed victories in four municipalities—Bhachau, Jafrabad, Bantva, and Halol.

With five municipalities delivering fractured mandates, BJP leaders expressed confidence in forming majorities through independent alliances.

Conclusion
The latest results reaffirm the BJP’s stronghold over Gujarat’s political landscape, further weakening the Congress. As the BJP expands its local governance footprint, opposition parties face the challenge of regaining ground ahead of future elections.