The results of the recent by-elections on two assembly seats in Gujarat have created a stir within the state Congress. Congress candidates faced crushing defeat in Kadi and Visavadar seats, after which state Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil has resigned from his post. Terming it a moral responsibility, he said that he himself takes the responsibility of not living up to the expectations of the party.
Shaktisinh Gohil, while talking to reporters on Monday, said that he has already sent his resignation to Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge. Rajya Sabha MP Gohil was made the President of Gujarat Congress in June 2023. While resigning, he said that the election results were disappointing and now the organization needs new leadership.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Italia won the Visavadar seat, while BJP’s Rajendra Chavda bagged the Kadi constituency.
In both assembly segments, Congress contestants put up a dismal performance.
BJP's big win on Kadi seat
The Kadi seat is reserved for Scheduled Castes and it fell vacant after the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki. In this by-election, BJP's Rajendra Chavda retained the seat by defeating Congress's Ramesh Chavda by a huge margin. Rajendra Chavda won by a margin of about 39,452 votes. Aam Aadmi Party candidate Jagdish Chavda remained at third place. This defeat is being considered a big setback for the Congress.
Aam Aadmi Party has made a strong comeback in Visavadar seat. Former state president of AAP Gopal Italia defeated BJP candidate Kirit Patel by 17,554 votes. This seat was earlier vacant due to the resignation of AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani. Congress candidate Nitin Ranparia remained at third place here. It is also worth mentioning that BJP has not been able to win this seat since 2007.
The double defeat for Congress in Gujarat has created a situation of contemplation for the party. While Shaktisinh Gohil's resignation points towards a change in leadership, the strength of BJP and AAP has posed new challenges to Congress before the upcoming assembly elections.
Prakash Kumar Pandey