Gujarat Assembly Deputy Speaker Election: BJP and Congress File Nominations
In a significant political development in Gandhinagar, candidates from both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress have officially entered the race for the deputy speaker position of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. The nomination papers were submitted on Friday, setting the stage for an election that will take place during the upcoming budget session.
Nomination Process and Key Candidates
BJP candidate Purnesh Modi, a three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly representing the Surat West constituency, filed his nomination papers accompanied by state agriculture minister Jitu Vaghani. The submission was made to assembly secretary C B Pandya. Minister Vaghani expressed strong confidence in Modi's election, highlighting the BJP's substantial majority in the assembly.
Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar, representing the Danilimda constituency in Ahmedabad, also filed his candidature on the same day. Despite acknowledging his party's numerical disadvantage, Parmar emphasized the constitutional importance of the opposition participating in such elections to maintain democratic traditions.
Political Context and Assembly Dynamics
The deputy speaker position has remained vacant since December 25, 2025, following the resignation of Jetha Ahir from the post. This vacancy has created an important opportunity for both political parties to demonstrate their strength and commitment to legislative processes.
The election is scheduled for the first day of the Gujarat Assembly's budget session on February 16. Given the current composition of the 182-member House, where the BJP commands 162 legislators compared to the Congress's 12, political analysts anticipate a straightforward victory for the ruling party's candidate.
Constitutional Significance and Opposition Stance
Congress leader Shailesh Parmar articulated his party's position clearly, stating that while the Congress lacks the numerical strength to win the election, filing the nomination serves important constitutional purposes. "This post is traditionally offered to the opposition in many legislative bodies," Parmar explained to reporters. "By participating in this election, we uphold constitutional values and assembly traditions that are fundamental to our democracy."
Budget Session Schedule and Broader Implications
The Gujarat Assembly's budget session will commence on February 16 and continue through March 25, with finance minister Kanubhai Desai scheduled to present the state's budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year on February 17. The deputy speaker election represents the first major legislative business of this important session.
Political observers note that this election, while expected to result in a BJP victory, serves multiple purposes:
- It fills a constitutional position that has been vacant for nearly two months
- It demonstrates the opposition's commitment to participating in democratic processes
- It sets the tone for the upcoming budget session where significant financial legislation will be debated
- It provides an opportunity for both parties to articulate their positions on legislative governance
The election outcome will be closely watched as an indicator of the political dynamics within the Gujarat Assembly as it prepares to address important budgetary matters affecting the state's development trajectory.
