Vadodara: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making significant gains in the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) elections, securing panels in Wards 4, 7, 10, and 13 as vote counting continues on Tuesday. The results so far indicate a strong performance by the ruling party in the civic body.
Close Contest in Ward 16
In Ward 16, both the BJP and Congress won two seats each, reflecting a closely fought battle. Congress heavyweight Chandrakant Srivastava emerged victorious from this ward, giving his party a notable presence in the segment.
Setback for Congress in Ward 13
In a setback for the Congress, three-time corporator Balu Surve lost from Ward 13, where the BJP panel secured victory. The BJP also clinched the panel in Ward 10, further strengthening its position in the civic body.
Election Overview
Polling for the elections was held on Sunday across 15 municipal corporations, 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats, and 260 taluka panchayats in the state. Counting began at 9 am on Tuesday, according to State Election Commission (SEC) officials. The elections are considered one of the largest democratic exercises in Gujarat ahead of the Assembly polls due next year, covering nearly 9,200 seats with over 4.18 crore eligible voters.
Voter Turnout
According to SEC data, voter turnout stood at 55.1% in municipal corporations, 65.53% in municipalities, 66.64% in district panchayats, and 67.26% in taluka panchayats. The turnout reflects moderate participation across different local bodies.
Implications
The results are being closely watched as an indicator of political trends in Gujarat. The BJP's strong showing in Vadodara, a traditional stronghold, underscores its organizational strength. However, the Congress's win in Ward 16 shows it retains pockets of influence.
