GANDHINAGAR: The state election commission announced the poll schedule for Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation on Friday. The state capital will go to vote on April 18 and counting of votes will take place on April 20.
Interestingly, hours before the poll schedule was announced, chief minister Vijay Rupani announced projects worth Rs 395 crore for the state capital, attracting criticism from opposition.
The BJP is in power in the GMC, which has 11 wards comprising 44 seats. Ever since the GMC came into existence, its election has been a keen and closely fought contest.
The code of conduct for election came into force in areas under GMC limtis on Friday evening. While the election notification will be published on March 27, the last date for filing nominations will be April 1. Nominations will be scrutinized by April 3 and the last date for withdrawing nominations will be April 5. Voting will be held on April 18 and counting will be taken up on April 20.
Despite facing defeat in the recent local body elections for municipal corporations, municipalities, district panchayats and taluka panchayats, the Gandhinagar unit of the Congress believes it will put up a spirited fight in the GMC election. A number of outgrowth areas, including Pethapur, have been included within GMC limits.
Meanwhile, the CM digitally dedicated or laid foundation stone of various development works for the state capital. The CM said that even amid pandemic, Gujarat’s growth story has seen an upward surge.
Developmental projects for which foundation stone were laid include solid waste collection, resurfacing of asphalt roads, construction of concrete roads, gantry at six entry-points of the state capital, two underpasses and an underground drainage project.
The CM digitally dedicated the municipal office, newly constructed 50-m high national flag pole at Ch-0 circle among others. The CM said that the government aims to provide all modern amenities like metro rail and other clean transport in cities. A sum of Rs 14,000 crore has been allocated to the urban development department in the budget, he added.