<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the Gujarat local body elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) maintained its dominance, securing 62 out of 66 general and two by-election seats across municipalities. Meanwhile, the Congress won the Salaya municipality in Jamnagar, and the Samajwadi Party secured power in the Kutiyana and Ranavav municipalities of Porbandar district. In the Junagadh Municipal Corporation, the BJP retained power by winning 48 out of 60 seats.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, one of the big upsets this election was the defeat of BJP leader Girish Koteccha's son, Parth Koteccha, who lost his seat in Junagadh. Another major defeat occurred in the Choryavad municipality, where Congress MLA Vimal Chudasama lost in Ward 3.</span></div>
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<div><strong><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Unclear Results in 3 Municipalities</span></strong></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Out of the 68 municipalities, BJP emerged victorious in 62. Congress won power in Salaya municipality, securing 15 out of 28 seats, and the Aam Aadmi Party won 13 seats. The Samajwadi Party claimed victory in the Kutiyana and Ranavav municipalities in Porbandar. In Chhota Udepur municipality, BJP won 8 seats, Congress won 1, and independent candidates, along with SP, BSP, and other party candidates, secured 15 seats, leaving the results uncertain.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In Khheda&rsquo;s Dakor municipality, BJP and independent candidates won 14 seats each, creating a tie. In Ahmedabad&rsquo;s Bavla municipality, BJP won 14 seats, Congress won 13, and the Samajwadi Party secured 1 seat. Thus, the Samajwadi Party's candidate may play a decisive role in forming the government in Bavla.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">While the BJP has registered victories across several municipalities, Dakor municipality has resulted in a political deadlock. In this 28-seat municipality, BJP secured 12 seats, while independent candidates won 14 seats, leaving no party with a clear majority. Interestingly, the Congress failed to win a single seat in Dakor, marking a significant setback for the opposition in this region.</span></div>
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<div><strong><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Kanhal Jadeja&rsquo;s Influence in Porbandar</span></strong></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Samajwadi Party leader Kanhal Jadeja&rsquo;s influence in Porbandar district remained strong, with his party securing a majority in both Kutiyana and Ranavav municipalities. In Kutiyana, SP won 14 out of 24 seats, while BJP secured 10. The 30-year-long reign of Dheliben Odedara in Kutiyana municipality, who had served as the chairperson since 1995, came to an end. In Ranavav, Samajwadi Party claimed 20 out of 28 seats, while BJP secured 8 seats.</span></div>
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<div><strong><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">BJP Claims 72% of Municipal Seats</span></strong></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Out of 1,911 seats across 66 general and two by-election municipalities, BJP won 1,386 seats, Congress secured 262, Samajwadi Party claimed 47, Bahujan Samaj Party won 23, Aam Aadmi Party captured 18, and other parties took 8 seats. Independent candidates won a total of 167 seats. The BJP&rsquo;s victory in 72% of total seats up for grabs this election, Congress&rsquo;s 14%, and other parties&rsquo; 14% highlights the BJP&rsquo;s stronghold this election.</span></div>
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<div><strong><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">BJP Secures Power in 3 Taluka Panchayats</span></strong></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the general elections for taluka panchayats, BJP captured power in all three: Gandhinagar, Kathlal, and Kapadvanj. In Gandhinagar taluka panchayat, the ruling party won 20 out of 28 seats, while Congress secured 8. In Kapadvanj, BJP grabbed 18 seats out of 26, while Congress won six, and independents took two seats. In Kathlal, BJP won 17 out of 24 seats, Congress secured three, and independents took home four seats.n</span></div>

BJP won a whopping 62 out of 68 general seats across municipalities

In a one-sided affair, the ruling party registers victories across districts, orchestrates upsets

BJP Dominates Guj Polls, Captures 62 Municipalities

In a one-sided affair, the ruling party registers victories across districts, orchestrates upsets

February 18, 2025 | 18:48 IST