Intense political manoeuvring, allegations of pressure tactics and dramatic scenes marked the final day for withdrawal of nominations for local body elections scheduled on April 26. More than 600 seats across Gujarat have been declared uncontested, largely in favour of the BJP, following a wave of withdrawals, negotiations and alleged coercion.
Chaotic developments were reported from Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Dabhoi and Gondal. The Congress is said to have sheltered candidates in resorts to prevent withdrawals, yet several returned under police protection to pull out, sparking protests and clashes.
In Vadodara, two candidates managed to withdraw their nominations under police escort despite heavy barricading by Congress workers. Dabhoi witnessed clashes between BJP and Congress workers, with reports of an attack on BJP MLA Shailesh Sotta.
Even Aam Aadmi Party candidates reportedly withdrew from over 33 seats, in what was described as coordinated moves involving both BJP and Congress.
Eight municipalities, including Ganadevi, Shehra, Unjha and Kadi, have effectively been won by the BJP before polling due to uncontested seats. Navsari district recorded the highest number, with around 60 such seats.
Of nearly 10,000 seats spread across 34 districts, 260 talukas, 84 municipalities and 15 municipal corporations, over 100 had already become uncontested by April 11, the last date for filing nominations. The number rose to 300 after scrutiny and crossed 600 following withdrawals.
In Ahmedabad, Congress candidates from Sarkhej, Thaltej and Chandlodiya withdrew. In Surat, a Congress candidate faced protests from party workers while attempting to pull out.
In Junagadh's Mangrol taluka, an AAP candidate was caught by police with 96 bottles of liquor, allegedly meant to influence voters.
In the Kamrej-2 seat of the Surat District Panchayat, reserved for Scheduled Tribes, the BJP fielded Bharat Samla, triggering strong opposition from local tribal communities.
BJP's tribal wing warned of resignations and protest voting across South Gujarat if the nomination was not withdrawn. Amid mounting pressure, the candidate eventually withdrew.