ગુજરાતી
English
Power Exercised Against the Mandate in Panchayats
Shocking Incidents of Bias and Anti-Democratic Practices
Ahmedabad, May 27, 2026
In the local self-government elections, the BJP laid a trap designed to subvert the democratic mandate—the people’s vote—in its pursuit of acquiring and retaining power. On multiple occasions, deliberate attempts were made to create chaos and disruption.
**Tapi**
During the elections for the Vyara Taluka Panchayat in the Tapi district, the Surat Police detained Congress members—who held a clear majority of 13 out of 20 seats—for several hours under the pretext of an investigation, specifically to prevent them from casting their votes.
**Deodar**
During the elections for the President and Vice-President of the Deodar Taluka Panchayat, BJP members—acting in accordance with a pre-planned strategy—deliberately instigated a commotion among themselves. Although all Congress members remained seated with complete discipline and composure, the Election Officer, citing the false pretext that the “situation was out of control” and without any valid justification, immediately postponed the meeting. The officer subsequently announced that the meeting would be held on the 27th.
**Anand**
In the election for the President of the Anand District Panchayat—a seat reserved for the tribal (Adivasi) category—the BJP candidate, Mayuriben Patel, filed her nomination papers. Since she is originally a resident of Maharashtra, she is not entitled to reservation benefits in Gujarat based on an ST (Scheduled Tribe) certificate issued by another state; however, her nomination was filed by leveraging the power of the ruling party. Ultimately, the Election Officer took legal action and rejected her nomination.
Furthermore, an interim stay order was issued late at night against the Congress Party President, Gauriben Tadvi, without serving her any prior notice.
**Dhanpur – The Draw of Lots**
In the elections for the President and Vice-President of the Dhanpur Taluka Panchayat, a situation of intense suspense arose as both the BJP and the AAP secured an equal number of votes—12 each. Following a draw of lots, the name of Sonalben Bhuria from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was selected for the post of President, and she was declared the winner. For the post of Vice-President, the name of Nayanbhai Baria from the BJP was selected. Lathi – AAP
The BJP handed over the post of President of the Lathi Taluka Panchayat to a member elected from the AAP. Chetan Shiyal, the son-in-law of Hira Solanki, had defected. The post of President in the Lathi Taluka Panchayat is reserved for the OBC category. The BJP had secured a majority, but they were compelled to step aside as they did not have a winning OBC candidate.
Meghraj – Defection
In the Meghraj Taluka Panchayat of the Aravalli district, despite the Congress holding a majority, Bharat Khant rebelled against the party and became the President with the support of the BJP.
Out of the 11 Congress members, two announced their support for the BJP. The BJP came to power with a total of 13 seats, comprising one independent member and two Congress members.
Arvind Kharadi was elected as the Vice President. Despite securing a higher number of seats, the Congress failed to form the government.
A total of 13 members—comprising the BJP contingent—came to power by defeating the Congress members.
Kodinar – Dinu
In the Kodinar Taluka Panchayat, an independent candidate announced support for the Congress. Anupa Solanki was appointed as President, and Harsha Ben Gadhe was appointed as Vice President. Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja and the controversial BJP leader Dinu Solanki suffered a crushing defeat.
The council consists of 12 Congress members and 11 BJP members.
Bharuch – Demise
To keep the AAP out of power, the BJP and Congress joined forces in Bharuch to prevent the AAP candidate from becoming the President or Vice President of the Netrang Taluka Panchayat.
The BJP’s Magan Vasava was elected as President, while the Congress’s Nayana Prajapati was elected as Vice President.
Out of the 16 members, there are 8 from the AAP, 7 from the BJP, and 1 from the Congress.
One of the AAP members had passed away. The BJP had formed an alliance with the Congress in order to retain power. Anand – Court Verdict
The nomination form of the BJP candidate for the post of President of the Anand District Panchayat had initially been rejected; consequently, the BJP approached the High Court, and the nomination of the BJP’s Mayuri Patel was subsequently upheld.
The post of President is reserved for a Scheduled Caste seat. The BJP’s Mayuri Patel was elected President. Jilu Sindha was elected Vice President unopposed.
Vadgam – Jignesh Mevani
In the Vadgam Taluka Panchayat of Banaskantha, the BJP came to power with the help of a vote from an independent member.
The Congress holds 14 seats, while the BJP holds 13; one seat is held by an independent member.
The Congress could have easily assumed power.
However, out of the 14 Congress members, one candidate was absent during the voting process. As a result, the BJP’s tally rose to 13 + 1 = 14.
The BJP’s Anuben Uplana was elected President.
Due to the Congress party’s failure to maintain control over its own members, even a stronghold like Vadgam slipped out of their grasp. MLA Jignesh Mevani has proven himself to be an inexperienced politician.
Dharnidhar – Reservation
In the newly formed Dharnidhar Taluka Panchayat—located in the Vav-Tharad region of Banaskantha—the Congress party managed to secure power based on caste-based equations, despite the BJP holding a majority.
The post of President is reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC). Among the BJP’s elected members, there were no SC women. Conversely, the Congress possessed a suitable candidate from this specific category. Despite its desire to contest the election, the BJP was unable to field a candidate for the post of President due to the mandatory adherence to the rules.
The Congress party’s Nilaben Sodha was elected President, while Harji Patel became the Vice President.
Bhavnagar – Unopposed Election
The President of the Bhavnagar District Panchayat was elected unopposed. There were no opposing candidates challenging the BJP for either the post of President or Vice President.
Ashok Ladhwa was elected President unopposed. Sujan Gohil was elected Vice President unopposed.
Danta – A Tie
The Congress party had held power for 31 years in the Danta Taluka Panchayat, located in the backward and hilly region of Banaskantha.
The election here resulted in a tie; there are 10 members each from the BJP and the Congress. The female members of the Congress party were absent. The BJP secured power by proving its majority.
In 2018, Pinky Ashwin Chaudhary became the President. 2026
Subsequently, he joined the BJP and was once again elected President, this time representing the BJP. Bharat Swarup Rana of the BJP became the Vice President.
Leveraging their power, BJP leaders stripped Congress members of their membership. Complaints were lodged with the election officer, but no one offered any response.
Waghai –
**The Lottery**
In the Waghai Taluka Panchayat—located in the border and tribal-dominated Dang district—a lottery was drawn by a young girl, resulting in a division of power between the BJP and the Congress.
Out of the 16 members, 8 belonged to the BJP and 8 to the Congress.
Shakuntala Padvi of the BJP was elected President through the lottery draw. Isdar Mahla of the Congress became the Vice President. Thus, the President hailed from the ruling party, while the Vice President came from the opposition.
If the rule known as the ‘Mavalankar Rule’ of the Lok Sabha is interpreted strictly, then in 10 out of the 15 major municipalities, the official post of ‘Leader of the Opposition’ cannot even be granted.
To qualify, a party must secure 10 percent of the total seats. In Rajkot, during the 2021–26 term, despite winning 4 out of the 72 seats, the Congress party was not accorded the post of Leader of the Opposition. (1) Vadodara (2) Rajkot (3) Surat (4) Jamnagar (5) Nadiad (6) Navsari (7) Surendranagar (8) Morbi (9) Porbandar (10) Mehsana
According to the rules, the post is available in the following places:
(1) Ahmedabad (2) Bhavnagar (3) Anand (4) Vapi (5) Gandhidham (Google translation from Gujarati; please refer to the original report.)
