In a significant turn of events, nominations of two Congress candidates were cancelled on Sunday, while eight others withdrew their candidature on Monday, paving the way for a smooth victory of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Mukesh Dalal in Gujarat’s Surat Lok Sabha constituency.
Unopposed Victory
With all opposing candidates withdrawing from the race, Dalal has been elected unopposed, marking a straightforward win for the BJP in Surat.
Polling Details
Gujarat is scheduled to hold elections on May 7, and this recent development has set the stage for the upcoming polls.
Confirmation and Celebrations
Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil confirmed the news and congratulated Dalal, emphasizing the city’s support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi by offering the “first lotus.”
Official Statements
According to Returning Officer Sourabh Pardhi, all eight candidates who initially filed for the Surat Lok Sabha seat withdrew, resulting in Dalal’s uncontested victory.
Final Withdrawal
Pyarelal Bharati from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was the last candidate to withdraw, finalizing Dalal’s unchallenged path to victory.
Nomination Details
The nomination process for Gujarat’s third-phase elections ran from April 15 to April 19, with April 22 as the withdrawal deadline.
Congress Setback
The Congress party faced setbacks when Nilesh Kumbhani’s nomination was declined due to signature discrepancies, and subsequently, Suresh Padsala’s nomination was also rejected.
Allegations and Rejections
Gujarat Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil alleged that the rejection of their candidate’s nomination was a strategic move by the BJP, indicating concerns about potential defeat in the upcoming elections.