Dilip Patel<\/p>\n
Ahmedabad, April 16, 2026<\/p>\n
Voting for local self-government elections in Gujarat is scheduled for April 26, with the counting of votes to take place on April 28. There is a total of 9,992 seats across 393 local self-government bodies. Estimates suggest that the BJP is facing both public and internal dissent in as many as 290 constituencies. Instances of public protest in this regard are detailed below. For the first time in the history of the Gujarat BJP, internal rifts and dissent have surfaced on such a massive scale. The very conditions that prevailed within the Congress party when it was in power are now being witnessed within the BJP during its tenure in local self-government.<\/p>\n
The BJP’s predecessor, the Jana Sangh, won its first seat in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in 1962. Jana Sangh corporators were subsequently elected in urban local bodies in cities such as Ahmedabad and Rajkot.<\/p>\n
The Bharatiya Janata Party was formally established in 1980. Between 1980 and 1985, the BJP began securing its first electoral victories in the form of corporator seats. In Gujarat, the BJP first attained power in the local self-government sector in 1987\u201388, when it took control of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. Following its success in Ahmedabad, the BJP gradually expanded its influence and secured power in Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara as well. It has now been 40 years since the party established its dominance in local governance. Consequently\u2014and largely due to its absolute hold on power\u2014internal dissent within the party has intensified.<\/p>\n
In light of the internal squabbles, rebellions, and protests within the BJP\u2014as well as the palpable anger and opposition expressed by voters against the BJP-led local administrations in numerous areas\u2014the party has resorted to political maneuvers designed to secure electoral victories without actually facing a contest. Consequently, these strategies have been devised to circumvent democratic norms and effectively disenfranchise the public by stripping them of their right to vote. Such actions pose a grave threat to the democratic process; elections must be held. Two or three parties cannot deprive the people of their right to vote by withdrawing their candidacies or by refraining from fielding candidates.<\/p>\n
**Winning Without Contesting**
\nThe BJP secured victory in 700 seats without having to contest an election\u2014a figure representing approximately 3 percent of the total. It won 135 seats unopposed. Following the scrutiny of nomination papers, it secured an additional 165 seats. Many opposition candidates did not even manage to obtain the necessary mandate.<\/p>\n
Through intimidation\u2014including threats and the use of police force\u2014to compel the withdrawal of nomination papers, numerous other seats were also declared uncontested. It is estimated that, in total, the BJP likely secured victory in 500 seats without facing an actual election contest.<\/p>\n
Specifically, 20 candidates were elected in Municipal Corporations, 178 in Municipalities, 12 in District Panchayats, and 90 in Taluka Panchayats.<\/p>\n
In the 2021 local self-government elections, 221 seats went to the BJP uncontested.<\/p>\n
**Candidates Hidden in Secret Locations**<\/p>\n
Following instances involving the use of police force, intimidation, and acts of sabotage directed at Congress candidates in the cities of Rajkot, Kalol, Nadiad, and Morbi, the Congress party was compelled to move its candidates to undisclosed locations for their safety.<\/p>\n
**Pressure to Cancel Nominations**<\/p>\n
Out of 39,387 nominations filed, 9,520 were rejected. Consequently, prior to the deadline for the withdrawal of nominations, 29,792 candidates remained in the fray. The State Election Commission carried out the shocking process of cancelling 24.17 percent of the nominations. Election officials faced immense pressure from the BJP to cancel these nominations. This very pressure reportedly drove one election official to commit suicide. A similar incident had occurred during the Lok Sabha elections in Sanand\u2014part of Amit Shah’s constituency\u2014where an election official died under suspicious circumstances.<\/p>\n
**Dissent Within the BJP**
\nIn Gujarat, a noteworthy development was the fact that BJP workers staged protests\u2014both publicly and privately\u2014at 290 different locations against decisions taken by their own party leaders. The most intense opposition against the Gujarat BJP was witnessed in Surat, Navsari, Ahmedabad, and Jamnagar. Significant dissent was observed within the constituencies of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, former State President and Union Minister for Water Resources C.R. Patil, and BJP State President Panchal.
\nThe selection of candidates appeared to be a blend of lobbying by certain leaders and a concerted effort to award tickets to their own loyalists. In Gujarat, internal resentment within the BJP erupted both in the run-up to the finalization of candidates for the local body elections and immediately upon the announcement of their names. Numerous instances of massive internal dissent came to light within the party. Opposition on such a large scale had not been witnessed in previous elections.<\/p>\n
Both new and experienced party workers, as well as incumbent councilors, were sidelined. This situation created an environment that ultimately forced the party to face adverse electoral outcomes. Workers and leaders, aggrieved over being denied tickets, took to the streets, confronted journalists, and voiced their grievances on social media platforms.<\/p>\n
Controversy arose when long-serving, grassroots-level party workers\u2014who had dedicated years of service to the organization\u2014were overlooked in favor of outsiders and relatively unknown individuals who were nominated as candidates.<\/p>\n
**Social Media**
\nSocial media platforms\u2014specifically WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook\u2014were extensively utilized to express this dissent. Whenever sentiments were hurt or grievances arose, individuals would post their reactions in WhatsApp groups or on their personal Facebook profiles. The spirit of rebellion and defiance was clearly visible across these social media channels.<\/p>\n
**Janadesh (Mandate\/Authorization)**
\nThere was considerable controversy surrounding the concept of the “Janadesh” (Mandate\/Authorization). Fundamentally, *Janadesh* signifies the granting of power, orders, directives, or authority. In the context of politics, it refers to the official letter issued by a political party authorizing a specific candidate to contest an election. From both a political and legal standpoint, it signifies the conferral of the authority to govern or to execute specific administrative functions. It is commonly referred to as the party’s “Official Support Letter.” In a financial context, however, the term *Janadesh* (or ‘Mandate’) refers to the authorization granted to automatically debit funds from a bank account.<\/p>\n
The narrative details the various incidents of dissent and rebellion that have occurred within the BJP since the party assumed power.<\/p>\n
**Mansukh Vasava**
\nThe rules and criteria employed by Members of Parliament (MPs) for the allocation of party tickets faced significant opposition and criticism. Mansukh Vasava, the most senior elected MP from Bharuch for the BJP, stated that party workers are unhappy with the BJP’s rules for selecting candidates. This resentment is widespread among the common people.<\/p>\n
The current situation is not a result of the party itself or the Congress, but rather a consequence of the BJP’s internal policies. Resentment has been brewing beneath the surface due to the decision to deny seats to individuals over the age of 60, those who have contested three or more elections, and those with family ties within the party\u2014all while overlooking grassroots workers. The prevailing sentiment is that the party should field only those candidates who are capable of winning elections.<\/p>\n
The imposition of such rigid rules is being viewed as an inappropriate move.<\/p>\n
Following these pronouncements, voices of dissent against the ruling party emerged across the entire state of Gujarat.<\/p>\n
**Surat**
\nThe opposition within the BJP was particularly intense in Surat district and the city itself. In several *talukas* (administrative blocks), deep resentment was expressed over the decision to issue tickets to “outsiders”\u2014candidates from outside the local area\u2014while completely ignoring local and grassroots-level party workers.<\/p>\n
In Surat, a crowd of over 300 party workers surrounded the party office to register their protest against the denial of tickets to local candidates.<\/p>\n
Within the Surat Municipal Corporation, 37 incumbent corporators were renominated as candidates. This included the former Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee, all of whom were issued tickets once again.<\/p>\n
**Meetings Against the BJP**
\nIt was alleged that instead of rewarding dedicated party workers, tickets were handed out to VIPs and to the sycophants of arrogant individuals\u2014derisively referred to as “Skylab” types. The selection process reportedly included candidates who have contributed absolutely nothing to the BJP’s cause thus far. Opposition to the selection of ward-level candidates was witnessed across every locality, including Varachha, Katargam, Punagam, Kapodra, Sarthana, Ved Road, and Amroli. A meeting was subsequently convened involving leaders and workers from the BJP\u2014many of whom were disgruntled\u2014along with representatives from the diamond industry. The strategic objective discussed during this meeting was to determine whether to confront the BJP openly in the public sphere or to remain within the party’s fold and work to undermine it from within. (It is worth noting that in the previous election, 27 corporators belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party were elected from this very region.)<\/p>\n
**Defections**
\nHarsh Sanghavi reportedly blocked the allocation of tickets to individuals who had defected to the BJP from the Aam Aadmi Party. These defections occurred primarily because tickets were denied to Dharmik Malaviya and Alpesh Kathiriya; instead, Alpesh Kathiriya’s wife, Kavya, was nominated as the candidate\u2014despite Alpesh himself being ready and willing to contest the election. Ward No. 20 \u2013 Party workers were outraged upon learning that Pratibha Desai had been awarded a ticket; they marched to the bungalow of City BJP President Paresh Patel at midnight to voice their grievances.
\nTheir objection stemmed from the fact that Pratibha Desai is a resident of a different ward\u2014outside her own\u2014yet was fielded as a candidate in this ward.<\/p>\n
Ward No. 26 \u2013 Despite the controversies surrounding him, Amit Singh Rajput was awarded a ticket for the third consecutive time.<\/p>\n
Ward No. 10 \u2013 A volcano of resentment erupted in the Adajan-Pal area. More than 300 people, carrying banners and chanting slogans, staged a late-night rally to the party’s central office to register their protest. Police forces had to be deployed to maintain order. “In five years, we have never once seen them award a ticket to this individual,” stated residents from Adajan village, Pal, and Bhatha village in Surat, who had gathered to launch a late-night agitation against the decision made by the BJP high command\u2014specifically Harsh Sanghavi and C.R. Patil. Their grievance centered on the fact that a complete outsider\u2014an unknown figure\u2014had been given the ticket.<\/p>\n
As a result, 25,000 voters are threatening to either boycott the election or cast their votes against the BJP. This is precisely why Purnesh Modi rushed to the scene to intervene.<\/p>\n
Kamrej
\nKamrej \u2013 Anger flared up regarding the Kamrej-2 Taluka Panchayat seat after a ticket was awarded to an outsider candidate hailing from Gir Gadhada.<\/p>\n
Defying threats issued by Minister Praful Pansuriya, party workers have warned that if an outsider candidate is indeed fielded for the Kamrej-2 seat, they will resign en masse and vote against the BJP.<\/p>\n
Bardoli
\nResignation \u2013 Ganpat Rathod, a minister within the Surat District BJP Adivasi Morcha (Tribal Wing), has resigned from all his party posts\u2014including his primary membership\u2014triggering a political uproar. He stated that the BJP is currently plagued by internal strife.
\nIn his resignation letter addressed to District BJP President Bharat Rathod, he noted that while he had served the party with complete honesty and dedication from 2009 to 2026, he had received absolutely no cooperation from the Bardoli Taluka organization or the Taluka Panchayat team over the past five years. He also leveled serious allegations, claiming that the party organization had consistently sidelined him and subjected him to discriminatory treatment in his work.
\nBardoli \u2013 Chaos erupted within the BJP ranks in the newly formed Ambika Taluka Panchayat. The opposition was so intense that BJP leaders had to exit their office under police protection. Internal strife within the BJP has surfaced during the very first phase of the elections. The anger of party workers erupted upon discovering that forms were being surreptitiously filled out at the Haldwani BJP office even before the candidates’ names had been officially announced.<\/p>\n
**Navsari**
\nIn Navsari, BJP candidates were declared elected unopposed across 40 seats spanning the District Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, Municipalities, and Taluka Panchayats. Within the Taluka Panchayats alone, 11 seats were declared uncontested.
\nBJP candidates were elected unopposed on 6 seats in the Navsari District Panchayat. Across the Navsari district, the BJP secured uncontested victories on 30 seats due to the rejection of nomination forms. Candidates from independent backgrounds and other political parties mysteriously withdrew their nominations. In the Gandevi Municipality of Navsari district, the BJP secured uncontested victories in six wards after the nomination papers of 18 Congress members were rejected for being submitted past the deadline.
\nIn Navsari, Water Minister and former President C.R. Patil faced massive protests.
\n**Ward 13** \u2013 Protests erupted over allegations of nepotism in the selection of candidates; a ticket was awarded to the family of a former Chief Officer.
\nIn the Navsari Municipality, a “hook or crook” strategy was employed to ensure that 3 seats went uncontested. **Gandevi** \u2013 In the Gandevi Municipality of Navsari, a similar tactic was utilized to ensure the unopposed election of 21 BJP candidates.<\/p>\n
**Rajkot**
\nIncidents of protest occurred at several locations within the Rajkot Municipal Corporation. MP Parshottam Rupala had to rush to Rajkot late at night to mediate and pacify the situation. Similar incidents were reported across multiple areas.
\n**Ward 7** \u2013 Resentment brewed within the party after a candidate was replaced at the very last minute\u2014despite having already received the official party mandate\u2014and the ticket was handed to someone else. Former Corporators Surendrasinh Vala and Nitin Ramani were among those protesting. Nitin Ramani staged a protest specifically at the office where the decision to revoke the ticket was being finalized.
\n**Ward 13** \u2013 In Rajkot, the decision to deny a ticket to a former Corporator sparked intense anger among both the Corporator and their supporters. Former Corporator Surendrasingh<\/p>\n
Nitin Ramani\u2014a former corporator\u2014visited the party office upon being denied a ticket and registered his strong protest. His supporters took to both social media and the streets to express their displeasure against the party’s decision.<\/p>\n
She broke down in tears: Pragyaben Pithadia, who had served as a grassroots party worker for 12 years, became emotional in front of the media after being denied a ticket.<\/p>\n
…it happened. Tears welled up in my eyes.<\/p>\n
**Morbi**
\nThis marks the first election being held since the establishment of the Morbi Municipal Corporation. Resentment within the Morbi BJP unit has reached its peak. There was internal discord within the BJP regarding the issue of ticket distribution, and veteran party members who failed to secure a BJP ticket have filed their nominations as independent candidates.<\/p>\n
**Ward 6** \u2013 A former councilor was seen clashing with a Minister. Following a heated argument between Anopsinh Jadeja and Kanti Amrutia, the two leaders physically scuffled right inside the office. After his ticket was denied, Jadeja filed his nomination as an independent candidate.<\/p>\n
**Morbi MLA**
\nIn Morbi, MLA Amrutia was forced to flee the scene following an altercation between Minister Amrutia and a municipal councilor.<\/p>\n
After being denied party tickets, several BJP aspirants filed their nominations as independent candidates and entered the electoral fray.<\/p>\n
**Jamnagar**
\nThis time, the nomination process for the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation elections has been highly controversial. For the 64 seats at stake, 290 candidates filed a total of 317 nomination forms, 104 of which were subsequently rejected.<\/p>\n
The highest number of rejections\u201418 forms\u2014occurred in Ward No. 16, followed by 12 forms in Ward No. 12. These rejections were accompanied by allegations that a power line contractor had bribed a prominent Congress leader.<\/p>\n
In the Jamnagar District Panchayat, the BJP did not renominate a single incumbent member for 24 of the seats; they were all replaced. This move caused disappointment among some veteran members and party activists. Jamnagar Municipal Corporation \u2013 Out of the 56 candidates fielded by the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation, 21 were candidates brought in from other political parties.<\/p>\n
This situation triggered internal strife within the BJP.<\/p>\n
There was significant opposition directed at Jamnagar MP Poonam Madam, Education Minister Rivaba Jadeja, and BJP City President Binaben Kothari.<\/p>\n
Complaints regarding this matter were lodged with the National President and Prime Minister Modi.<\/p>\n
Former corporator Jaliben Sarvaiya and Keshubhai Madam were the key figures among the dissenters. Both leaders rebelled against the party and joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Former corporator Jaliben declared that she would create a difficult situation for the BJP in the region. She asserted, “I do not wish to be a mere ‘leader with slippers’ [an ordinary leader]; I intend to unleash the ‘Elephant’ [the BSP’s symbol] in Ward Number 4.” Having made this statement, she rejoined the BJP within just three hours of switching parties. Consequently, senior leaders of the Gujarat BJP had to rush to the scene. The Gujarat BJP State President, Jagdish Vishwakarma, addressed a public gathering. MP Poonamben Madam, MLA Meghji Chavda, and former Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel attended the meeting and attempted to pacify the agitated party workers. In the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation elections, a candidate from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) defected and joined the BJP. Gandhinagar \u2013 In the constituency of Gandhinagar MP and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, intense opposition arose, leading to incidents where opposition candidates were allegedly intimidated into withdrawing their nomination papers. Kalol-Paliyad \u2013 A rebellion erupted within the BJP during the District Panchayat proceedings after certain members were denied election tickets. As a result, 400 party workers defected and joined the Congress party. There was significant opposition to Patel Nitinbhai Narandas, a candidate who had recently joined the BJP from the Congress. Instead, a ticket was allotted to the wife of a party worker. Meanwhile, rebel members who had defected from the Congress party filed their own independent nominations.<\/p>\n
Sarpanches and members from various villages\u2014including Kanuji Chavda (Govindpura\/Veda), Khoraj Dabhi, Veda village, Mokhasan village, and Nava village\u2014collectively addressed a letter to Kanuji Chavda, a member of the Kalol Taluka Panchayat.<\/p>\n
Nine months prior, his wife had filed her nomination papers for the Gram Panchayat elections but had suffered a crushing defeat. He officially joined the party on April 1, 2026. Ketankumar Amarat Patel was the first Congress member from the taluka, while his wife, Tinvankalben Patel, lost the election for the Paliyad Taluka Panchayat seat.
\nHundreds of party workers\u2014including the Sarpanchs and members of the Kalol Taluka Panchayat and five villages\u2014wrote a letter to the BJP State President and senior party leaders.<\/p>\n
Ahmedabad
\nThe denial of tickets has sparked significant anger and resentment among party workers across several areas of Ahmedabad. Internal strife and discontent spread within the party the moment the list of candidates was released. The resulting anger is expected to have an impact on the election results.
\nLocal leaders staged protests in wards such as Ward No. 48, Chandkheda, India Colony, Sardarnagar, Gota, Naranpura, Sardar Patel Stadium, Naroda, Sabarmati, Vastral, Asarwa, Shahibaug, and Ranip.
\nProtests erupted in several wards due to the arbitrary actions of the MLAs.
\nIn Ahmedabad, too, the BJP was forced to scramble for damage control as dissent began to brew from within the party itself.
\nSome workers have even gone so far as to declare that they will neither campaign for the party nor cast their votes.<\/p>\n
Stadium Ward \u2013 In the Stadium Ward, workers were angered by the selection of a candidate brought in from outside the constituency.
\nNaroda \u2013 In Naroda, Ahmedabad, party workers collectively resigned amidst allegations of nepotism leveled against the local MLA.<\/p>\n
Vejalpur \u2013 Objections were raised against a “parachute” candidate\u2014a woman brought in from outside the constituency. In protest, a minister within the party organization resigned, while his daughter-in-law launched a scathing attack against the “dirty politics” unfolding within the party. Protests ensued over the decision to field Julieben Chauhan\u2014a relatively unknown figure residing in Sarkhej\u2014as the candidate for Vejalpur. She had reportedly secured the ticket based on the recommendation of a specific leader. Nandin Pandya, who had filled out the nomination form as a supporter of Julieben Chauhan, filed an objection citing technical errors in the application. It was, in fact, a former corporator who had instigated this female party worker to raise the objection. The internal infighting within the Vejalpur BJP unit has intensified. A female worker holding a ministerial position within the BJP organization has expressed her deep displeasure. Sarkhej<\/p>\n
– Jethabhai Bharwad of Sarkhej Ward resigned. In Paldi Ward, protests erupted over demands to field Jaynish Vakil instead of Ashish Shah; consequently, the BJP was compelled to change its candidate at the very last minute. Chandkheda\u2014In Chandkheda Ward, anger flared among party workers after Hari Prakash Sharma was denied a ticket. A “social media war” against the BJP subsequently broke out online. Two hundred housing societies pledged their support to Hari Prakash and threatened to boycott the voting process for the BJP. Slogans were raised warning that if Hari Prakash Sharma did not receive a ticket, the BJP would receive no votes. Uproar also ensued over the failure to allocate tickets to candidates from Scheduled Castes, and the local MLA faced protests.
\nNaranpura<\/p>\n
– In the Sardar Patel Stadium Ward, veteran corporators were disgruntled with the BJP after being denied renomination as candidates. They held a meeting with a group of supporters in a local garden. A strategy was devised to refrain from campaigning for the BJP\u2014thereby covertly benefiting a rival party\u2014and to actively encourage voters not to cast their ballots for the BJP.
\nNaroda\u2014Residents took to social media to express their opposition to the BJP MLA, Dr. Payal Kukrani.
\nAppeals were circulated urging people not to vote for the BJP and to boycott the election entirely.
\nGota\u2014Bipin Patel (Gota) was taken to the Gota area to allow him to vent his frustration.
\nRanip\u2014In Ranip Ward, dissent arose among party workers because the male candidates selected were already well-known public figures.
\nVastral\u2014In Vastral, the party fielded candidates who were merely “big names.” However, the tickets of those corporators who had genuinely performed substantive work were revoked.
\nIndia Colony\u2014Protests erupted in India Colony Ward regarding the allocation of tickets. Candidates who had been working diligently for years were sidelined, while tickets were instead handed over to other individuals.<\/p>\n
Viramgam\u2014In Ward-7, specifically in the Luharkod area of \u200b\u200bViramgam, signboards were erected to register protests and express deep resentment against the BJP.<\/p>\n
Vadodara
\nAllegations surfaced regarding underlying tensions and political horse-trading involving the local MP, the MLA, and leaders within the party organization. **Opposition to Harsh Sanghavi** \u2013 Sneha Lalwani, an office-bearer, raised objections regarding a program attended by Harsh Sanghavi, the in-charge for Vadodara and Deputy Chief Minister. She had intended to file her nomination papers as an independent candidate but arrived five minutes late, resulting in the rejection of her form.<\/p>\n
She alleged that the BJP has entered into an arrangement with the Hemnani family. For three consecutive terms, priority has been consistently given to the same family\u2014first Parshottambhai, then Hirabhai, and now his son has been granted the nomination. She pointed out that although the families of these leaders do not participate in social outreach programs, they are nevertheless awarded election tickets. Upon being denied a ticket in Vadodara, Sneha Lalwani lashed out angrily at the party in-charge.<\/p>\n
In a speech, Harsh Sanghavi declared, “I will not spare the miscreants.” He added that the Congress party needs to take heed of this warning.<\/p>\n
**Defection** \u2013 Kiran Rathod resigned from the BJP and joined the Congress party, stating that the BJP could no longer be trusted; however, she subsequently returned to the BJP fold.<\/p>\n
**A Woman Breaks Down** \u2013 In Vadodara, a female leader\u2014who had never previously participated in meetings of the *Mahila Morcha* (Women’s Wing)\u2014was awarded a ticket, while another woman leader, upon being denied a ticket, broke down in tears. “My last 15 years have gone to waste,” she lamented, “and for this reason, I am resigning.”<\/p>\n
**Nepotism** \u2013 Within the BJP, tickets were allotted to the children of eight different leaders. This act of nepotism sparked resentment and protest among the party’s grassroots workers.
\nTickets were granted to the sons of former MLAs Dalsukh Prajapati and Jitendra Sukhadiya.
\nFurthermore, tickets were distributed to the children and daughters-in-law of former corporators.
\nVoices of dissent have been raised.
\nIn the Vadodara elections, “self-interest” and the presence of “rebel candidates” are expected to play a pivotal role.<\/p>\n
**The Sangh**
\nIn Vadodara, a power struggle is currently unfolding within the BJP under the banner of the “Sangh.”
\nEver since Dr. Jayprakash Soni\u2014a *Sanghi* (member of the Sangh)\u2014was elected as the City BJP President, he and his mentor have harbored ambitions of consolidating control over both the party organization and political power. Yogesh Parekh\u2014a political *pracharak* (propagator) of the Sangh\u2014and Chintanbhai Upadhyay\u2014regarded as a mentor to all\u2014had worked tirelessly to ensure Soni’s elevation to the post of City BJP President. That is why the opposition arose.
\nMLAs held a meeting and finalized a plan to appoint their followers as corporators. It would come as no surprise if Tryambak Bhatt were to join the Sangh or the BJP as the political heir to Bhargav Bhatt. There is talk among BJP workers that preparations are also underway to position their loyalists within the Education Committee for administrative roles.<\/p>\n
Ward Number 5 \u2013 The former BJP President expressed his displeasure. A post on social media read: “My home is a BJP home, but no one from the party is welcome here.”
\nVeteran leaders were left sidelined.<\/p>\n
Violence \u2013 An internal faction within the Vadodara BJP turned violent.
\nAkshay Suthar, the BJP Vice President for Ward Number 5 in the city, issued death threats to fellow BJP worker Karshan Rabari. A formal complaint regarding this incident was lodged at the Bapod Police Station.
\nAkshay Suthar had joined the BJP after defecting from the Congress party; the party had subsequently assigned him a position within the ward. Karshan Rabari had reportedly issued threats against him. Meanwhile, Manoj Shah, the candidate for Ward 5, had severed ties with the Congress party. Chanod \u2013 A rebellion erupted in the Chanod District Panchayat (Dabhoi region) after a ticket was denied to a contender. Mamta Patel subsequently decided to switch allegiance to the Congress party; she filed her nomination papers for the Chanod District Panchayat seat as a Congress candidate. Disa
\nAnger against the BJP flared up within the Disa Municipality. BJP leaders rushed to the scene in an attempt to undertake “damage control.” The BJP leaders were present at the Deputy Collector’s office. Workers disgruntled with the BJP filed their nomination papers as independent candidates. In Junagadh-Disa, the BJP was compelled to stage a show of strength to demonstrate its influence. In Disa, Ramesh Joshi\u2014a BJP leader with 35 years of service to the party\u2014defected to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Aravalli
\nPolitical turmoil gripped the BJP in the Aravalli district. Dadhalia \u2013 Protests erupted regarding the Dadhalia seat in the Taluka Panchayat against the candidature of an “outsider” (a candidate brought in from outside the local constituency). Leaders and party workers gathered in front of the BJP District Office in Modasa and raised slogans in protest. Bayad
\nLanka \u2013 In the Lanka area of \u200b\u200bBayad Taluka in the Aravalli district, 200 leaders joined the Congress party. Present there were former MLA Jashubhai Patel and the former Sarpanch of Lanka…<\/p>\n
Lusingh Jhala and other local residents were present.
\nLimbhoi \u2013 Controversy erupted after the BJP allotted its office for the Limbhoi seat to individuals accused in the District Panchayat paper leak scam. Following the distribution of tickets, the Sarpanchs (village heads), former Sarpanchs, and 150 party workers from five different Gram Panchayats (village councils) quit the BJP and joined the Congress party. This group included Amrit Singh Jhala\u2014the former Sarpanch of Bodi Panchayat\u2014as well as leaders from the Dhakrol, Bayal, Wantada (Kabola), and Gadha Gram Panchayats.
\nThose who switched allegiance from the BJP to the Congress included Yogeshbhai Patel (Sarpanch of Gadha), Kailashben Laxmansingh Parmar (Sarpanch of Bayal), Hareshbhai Valand (Sarpanch of Dhakrol), and Jitendra Singh (Sarpanch of Wantada\/Kabola). They were joined by Gram Panchayat member Babusingh Makwana, former Bodi village Sarpanch Amrit Singh Jhala, and prominent leader Vijay Singh Jhala (Bodi).<\/p>\n
An Army soldier, along with his supporters, also joined the Congress party.<\/p>\n
Gadha \u2013 The BJP announced two candidates\u2014Shilpa Makwana and Neelam Jhala\u2014for the Gadha seat in the Taluka Panchayat elections. However, the list of candidates was altered at the very last minute.<\/p>\n
Kutch
\nProtests were witnessed across various constituencies in the Kutch district. Meanwhile, a reshuffle occurred within the party ranks. In the “city of Adani,” Kishore Pingol\u2014a figure active in both politics and the social sector\u2014quit the BJP and returned to the Congress party. In the Abdasa and Lakhpat Talukas, the BJP has successfully poached over 1,000 workers and leaders from the Congress.<\/p>\n
Chhota Udaipur<\/p>\n
The BJP witnessed significant internal turmoil in the Chhota Udaipur district. Here, an incident in which opposition candidates were compelled\u2014under duress\u2014to withdraw their nominations was captured on camera.<\/p>\n
Bodeli \u2013 The husband of the Taluka Panchayat President filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate.<\/p>\n
Sankheda \u2013 The former Chairman of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) filed an independent nomination for the Panaj Taluka Panchayat seat. Allegations were raised that tickets were denied to active and dedicated party workers; the BJP’s decision to select a different candidate subsequently triggered a rebellion within the party ranks. Anand
\nBJP workers are disgruntled over the party’s decision to renominate several candidates. Earlier, workers had expressed anger when the candidates for the Anand Municipal Corporation elections were not announced in a timely manner.<\/p>\n
Ward No. 1 \u2013 BJP’s Naynaben filed her nomination papers as an independent candidate. The Vice President of the *Mahila Kisan Morcha* (Women’s Farmers’ Wing) also filed her nomination as an independent.<\/p>\n
Petlad \u2013 Resentment was evident among BJP workers in this region.<\/p>\n
Amreli
\nDr. Bharat Kanabar, a senior BJP leader from Amreli, stated that the BJP does not issue tickets to workers over the age of 60 in local self-government elections. This creates an impression regarding senior citizens that they are physically and mentally incapable of shouldering any responsibility. Elders are being sidelined. In that case, why should the elderly vote for the BJP?<\/p>\n
“Anti-Religious Elements” \u2013 While filing her nomination papers, Kokilaben Kakadia\u2014wife of J.V. Kakadia, the MLA for Dhari-Bagsara in the Amreli district\u2014declared that she intends to eliminate “anti-religious elements.” This statement drew opposition from within the BJP ranks.<\/p>\n
One Family \u2013 In the Savarkundla Municipality of Amreli district, both a husband and wife received ticket offers from three different parties: the BJP, the Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Popatbhai Jamod received ticket offers from both the BJP and the AAP, while his wife, Hansaben Jamod, was fielded as a candidate by the Congress from the very same ward.
\nIt is a rare occurrence for a husband and wife to receive tickets from rival political parties simultaneously.
\nPopatbhai subsequently quit the BJP and joined the Congress party.
\nHe then secured a ticket for his wife, Hansaben, from the Congress. His wife, Hansaben, is now contesting the election on a Congress ticket. The BJP and the AAP have clarified that they are no longer fielding candidates in this specific contest.<\/p>\n
Savarkundla
\nWard No. 6 \u2013 A triangular contest has emerged between the BJP, the Congress, and the AAP.
\nDhari \u2013 Internal strife erupted within the BJP in the Dhari Municipality of Amreli district. Intense lobbying took place among party members to secure candidacy for the elections. For years, honest party workers who have been associated with the organization were overlooked during the distribution of election tickets.
\nI was incensed by this flawed policy. Even before the candidate list was officially announced, resentment began brewing within the BJP ranks. Hinaben Raval, President of the BJP Mahila Morcha (Women’s Wing), openly expressed her displeasure. She alleged that unsuitable individuals had been fielded as candidates. She warned that if justice is not served, she might take the drastic step of quitting the party along with her supporters.<\/p>\n
**Mahisagar**
\nFollowing the distribution of tickets, a deep rift has emerged within the BJP unit of the Mahisagar district.
\nRanjitsinh Baria, Vice President of the Bakshi Panch Morcha, announced his resignation from all party posts via social media. He stated that party workers have been consistently sidelined, and the organization’s fundamental principles have been undermined.<\/p>\n
**Narmada**
\nIn Narmada, Suresh Vasava\u2014political advisor to former minister Darshanaben Deshmukh\u2014resigned after alleging that tribal communities were treated unfairly regarding the Poicha seat in Nandod Taluka. The party had allotted the ticket to an individual who had married outside their own community.<\/p>\n
**Sabarkantha**
\nIn the Sabarkantha district, the BJP faced massive protests late last night immediately after releasing its lists of candidates for the Taluka Panchayat, District Panchayat, and Municipality elections. In the Jadar area of \u200b\u200bIdar (Sabarkantha), locals from 27 villages have threatened to boycott the elections after the party fielded an “outsider” candidate for the Taluka Panchayat seat.<\/p>\n
Disgruntled BJP members openly vented their anger against the party leadership.<\/p>\n
BJP leader Nikulsinh Makwana remarked, “The BJP has denied us tickets.” He pointed out that a candidate who had joined the BJP from the Congress party just two months ago in Golwada had been allotted a ticket instead. “We will ensure the BJP’s defeat,” he vowed, asserting that a grave injustice had been committed against them.<\/p>\n
**Porbandar**
\nA major uproar erupted in Porbandar ahead of the municipal corporation elections. Significant anger was palpable following the announcement of the candidates. Resentment stemmed from the fact that long-serving party veterans were denied tickets. Consequently, several disgruntled BJP leaders in Porbandar have defected to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Arbham Karvadra was upset after being denied a ticket in Ward Number 3. Along with his entire panel…<\/p>\n
He joined the Aam Aadmi Party and declared war against the BJP.<\/p>\n
A crowd of party workers gathered at the residence of MLA and Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia to stage a protest.<\/p>\n
**Morbi**
\nApproximately 1,000 residents from societies such as Chitrakoot 1-6, Saraswat, Panchavati, Punitnagar, Nakalang, and Chandrasenagar\u2014located on Kanya Chhatralaya Road under the Morbi Municipal Corporation’s Ward No. 8\u2014gathered to protest against a candidate brought in from outside the ward. The residents were deeply angered by the “outsider” candidate, who had reportedly gained entry through the back door with the assistance of a BJP leader. The protesters vowed to boycott the voting process and declared that they would not allow any campaign meetings to take place.
\nThey demanded that either former Councilor Lalit Kamariya or Dinesh Khaila be selected as the party’s candidate.
\nA written memorandum regarding this demand was submitted to MLA Kanti Amrutia and the District\/City BJP President.
\n**Ward No. 3**
\nProtests erupted in Ward No. 3 of Morbi.
\n**Ward No. 6**
\nAnti-BJP posters were put up across Ward No. 6 in Morbi. Local leaders issued a stern warning to party functionaries, telling them not to enter the ward for election campaigning and not to come seeking their “precious votes.” The BJP’s “neo-Nazis” were effectively barred from entering the area. The protests were specifically directed against a former BJP Councilor from Morbi.<\/p>\n
**Ward No. 1**
\nIn Ward No. 1 of Morbi, local residents are seething with anger over stalled development projects. Amidst this tension,<\/p>\n
A video featuring a BJP leader has gone viral, effectively adding fuel to the fire.
\nIn the video, the leader asserts: “Since you did not vote [for us], there will be no development.”
\n**Former BJP Leader Fields Independent Panel**
\nThe situation worsened for the BJP when a former party leader staged a rebellion and fielded an entire panel of independent candidates in Ward No. 1. This internal factionalism has severely jeopardized the prospects of the BJP’s official candidates.<\/p>\n
**Junagadh**
\nBhupat Bhayani\u2014a former MLA who had switched allegiance from the Aam Aadmi Party to the BJP\u2014will contest the election for the Bhesan seat in the Junagadh District Panchayat, having failed to secure a ticket for the Assembly by-election. He has previously served as the Sarpanch (village head) of Bhesan. Keshod
\nWard No. 5 \u2013 Vivek Kotadia, a former member of the Keshod Municipality, had sought a party ticket for himself this time around. However, the BJP overlooked him and, instead, allotted the ticket to his wife. He has flatly refused to accept the nomination form.<\/p>\n
Vanthali-Mendarda
\nIn the Mendarda and Vanthali talukas\u2014which fall under the Manavadar Assembly constituency\u2014Vinubhai Busa has resigned from the BJP. During the previous term, he served as a member of the District Panchayat, representing the Sasan seat in the Mendarda taluka.
\nHis son, Jolit Busa, has joined the Congress party.<\/p>\n
Dhandhusar \u2013 Sakarben Arjanbhai Devaraniya\u2014a former member representing the Dhandhusar seat in the Vanthali taluka and the former Chairperson of the District Education Committee\u2014has resigned from the BJP. She has joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). She alleged that party workers were ignored, and tickets were allotted solely to personal associates.
\nThe party was reportedly displeased with her opposition to the “Eco-Sensitive Zone” issue.<\/p>\n
Vadali
\nFor the Vadali seat in the Junagadh District Panchayat, a candidate was allotted a ticket without facing any internal contest.
\nThis decision sparked a massive uproar within the BJP.
\nThe official candidate list announced the name of Mansukhbhai Dahyabhai Kashera; however, when filing the nomination papers, Mansukhbhai Ranabhai Kashera submitted his candidacy instead. Thus, the name appearing in the regional list differed from the name submitted in the actual nomination form.
\nKeshod \u2013 In the city of Keshod (Junagadh district), internal strife has surfaced within the BJP, stemming from issues regarding the fielding of “outsider” candidates and the sidelining of local workers. Twelve female party workers\u2014including a former municipal councilor\u2014have resigned from the party. They alleged that decisions were taken unilaterally.<\/p>\n
Mehsana
\nFollowing the distribution of tickets, a wave of unrest has swept through the BJP in Mehsana, marked by palpable anger over the decision to allot tickets to outsiders instead of dedicated grassroots workers.
\nMahila Morcha (Women’s Wing) \u2013 In Ward No. 5 of the Mehsana Municipal Corporation, Ronakben’s ticket was revoked. She reportedly did not even step foot inside the party office after receiving the initial ticket allotment. Visnagar \u2013 Rajvi Patel vented his anger after being denied a ticket by the Visnagar BJP unit.
\nMartoli \u2013 In Martoli, 200 people left the BJP to join the Congress party. A Ticket for an Office Peon:
\nRameshbhai Bhil, who served as a peon at the Mehsana District Office for 28 years, has been fielded as a candidate from Ward No. 13.<\/p>\n
Nitin Patel:
\nRakesh Rajendrabhai Shah\u2014considered a staunch supporter of former Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel within the Mehsana Municipal Corporation\u2014has resigned from the BJP. His wife, Radhika Shah, has been nominated as the Congress candidate from Ward No. 2.
\nRakesh Shah, in collaboration with former District Panchayat President Ranjit Singh, has formed a formidable panel.
\nThere is palpable resentment among the party’s veteran workers.<\/p>\n
Kadi:
\nIn Kadi, the BJP has held absolute power for 40 years. When the BJP secured 22 out of the 36 seats in the Kadi Municipality unopposed, allegations of intimidation and vandalism surfaced.
\nThe BJP panels for Ward Nos. 1, 3, and 6 were declared elected unopposed.<\/p>\n
Nadiad:
\nInternal strife is also brewing within the Nadiad BJP unit. There has been opposition to the decision to allocate tickets to the relatives of certain party loyalists.<\/p>\n
“Yes, I made money” \u2013 In Nadiad, BJP leader and former Chairman of Amul Dairy, Vipul Patel, openly stated, “I have indeed made money in politics.”<\/p>\n
Kheda:
\nIn the Kheda district, a candidate withdrew their nomination following public protests.<\/p>\n
Kheda:
\nThe Mahij seat of the Kheda District Panchayat is reserved for the tribal community. The BJP had previously ousted the Congress candidate from this seat. The political party that secures a majority holds the reins of power. To become the President of the Kheda District Panchayat, it is mandatory for the officeholder to belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.<\/p>\n
Since the Mahij seat is the only constituency in the entire Kheda district that falls under this specific category, the party that wins this seat effectively secures the presidency of the District Panchayat.
\nHitesh Gulabsingh Tadvi (representing the BJP) and Ramanbhai N. Tadvi (representing the Congress) have filed their nominations for this seat. The Congress candidate withdrew his nomination and joined the BJP; consequently, the District President will be from the BJP.
\nHitesh Gulabsingh Tadvi has been declared the winner unopposed. (Translated from Gujarati via Google Translate)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dilip Patel Ahmedabad, April 16, 2026 Voting for local self-government elections in Gujarat is scheduled for April 26, with the counting of votes to take place on April 28. There is a total of 9,992 seats across 393 local self-government bodies. Estimates suggest that the BJP is facing both public and internal dissent in as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53896,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[3,4763,54,4759,6387],"tags":[14809,14810,14811,4710,14808],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/allgujaratnews.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/\u0a9c\u0abe\u0aae\u0aa8\u0a97\u0ab0.jpg?fit=1600%2C1200&ssl=1","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paUKPQ-e1h","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53895"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53895"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53895\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53899,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53895\/revisions\/53899"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}