BJP, for the first time, opened its account in the ‘home turf’ of Congress leader and former union minister Tushar Chaudhary in Vyara Municipality and won two seats. BJP won 22 seats out of total 28 in Vyara Municipality.
Chaudhary lives in ward four in Vyara town which is considered as his turf. But BJP’s Vikram Tarsadiya, who was in-charge of Vyara town, ensured that BJP breaks Congress bastion. It is also interesting that BJP fielded 26 fresh faces in Vyara town in this poll. Many BJP leaders revolted as they did not get tickets and contested as independents but lost.
Meanwhile, in Dang BJP made electoral history. After winning assembly by-polls, BJP won Dang district panchayat and three taluka panchayats — Ahwa, Subir and Waghai — for the first time in its electoral history.
Out of the total 18 seats in Dang district panchayat, BJP won on 17 seats while Congress could win on only one seat. In Ahwa taluka, BJP won 13 out of 16, in Waghai taluka panchayat BJP won 14 out of 16 and in Subir taluka panchayat, BJP won on 14 out of 16 seats.
Until recently, Dang was considered as Congress bastion but now the saffron party has made inroads into this tribal dominated district.
The ruling BJP was also successful in making inroads in tribal dominated Tapi district panchayat by winning it for the first time since its formation. Out of total 26 seats in Tapi district panchayat, BJP won on 17 seats while Congress won nine seats. Tapi district was considered a bastion for Congress but BJP snatched it. BJP also won Valod, Dolvan, Nizar, Kumarmunda and Uchhal taluka panchayats in Tapi district. Congress’ only consolation were Vyara and Songadh taluka panchayats.
Box: Owaisi’s AIMIM opens account in Bharuch
Surat: Asaduddin Owaisi's All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which contested on eight seats in Bharuch Municipality, won one seat from ward number 10, while seven of its candidates lost. AIMIM’s Mohmad Fahim Nazir Ahmed Sheikh got 3,756 votes and won the civic poll. AIMIM also fielded one candidate in Bharuch district panchayat’s Palej seat but lost.
AAP’s entry in panchayat polls
Surat: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which won 27 seats in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), made entry into district panchayat polls as well. According to details, AAP's two candidates won in Kamrej taluka panchayat elections. These two seats which AAP won, are considered Patidar dominated areas and it also played a major role in Hardik Patel's Patidar Anamat Andolan. These two areas are close to Surat city and have semi-urban populations, though it falls into Kamrej taluka panchayat.