Gujarat: BJP claims first victory in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections amid controversy over opposition nominations

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clinched its first victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat on Monday as the saffron party’s Mukesh Dalal won the election “unopposed,” a day after the nomination of the Congress party’s Surat Lok Sabha candidate was rejected on Sunday over alleged discrepancies in the signature of the proposers. Others also withdrew their nominations from the constituency.

On the final day of the nomination withdrawal deadline, the candidate from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), along with several independent candidates, exited the race, paving the way for a direct contest between Congress and BJP. BJP’s Mukesh Dalal received the Member of Parliament (MP) certificate from Surat District Collector on Monday after all other candidates withdrew from the fray.

“Today I have been declared winner, so the first lotus has bloomed in Gujarat and in the country… This is the first step towards the formation of a full majority government,” ANI quoted Dalal as saying.

On Sunday, 21 April, the nomination papers of the Congress party’s candidate Nilesh Kumbhani were rejected after his three proposers claimed in an affidavit to the district election officer that they had not signed his nomination form. The nomination form of Suresh Padsala, the Congress’ substitute candidate from Surat, was also invalidated, pushing Gujarat’s principal opposition party out of the poll fray in the city.

Returning Officer (RO) Sourabh Pardhi stated in a statement that the step was taken after a preliminary investigation. In his order, the RO said that all other eight candidates in the fray had withdrawn their nominations except Mukesh Dalal.

However, Congress has said it will contest the decision in the state high court.

As per the rules, a candidate affiliated with a recognized political party needs to have one voter from the constituency to propose their candidacy. For independent candidates, however, 10 such proposers from the constituency are required, and they need to sign the candidate’s nomination papers.

A major political controversy has erupted over the development, with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi slamming the rejection by saying that “the true face of the dictator is once again in front of the country!” He added, “Taking away the right of the people to choose their leader is another step towards destroying the Constitution of Baba Saheb Ambedkar.” In his X post, he reiterated that this election is one to save the nation, to protect the Constitution.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticized the move. “Our elections, our democracy, Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution – everything is in grave danger. I repeat – this is the most important election of our lifetime!” Ramesh said in his post on X.

Congress and AAP are contesting the elections in Gujarat in alliance. Congress has fielded candidates on 24 out of 26 seats, while AAP is contesting Bhavnagar and Bharuch. Voting in Gujarat will take place on May 7 in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

MTNews Desk