In a significant move ahead of the upcoming by-elections in Gujarat, the Congress party has announced the candidacy of former MLA Gulab Singh Rajput for the Vav Assembly constituency. This decision follows the resignation of Geniben Thakor, the Congress candidate who won in the last elections, to continue serving as a Lok Sabha member.
The Vav constituency, located in Banaskantha district, has a sizable electorate of 310,681 registered voters. This includes 161,293 male voters and 149,387 female voters, all of whom are expected to participate in the by-election.
To facilitate the voting process, the District Election Officer has outlined plans to establish 321 polling stations, staffed by 1,412 officials, including presiding officers. Additionally, 275 unique polling stations will be created to better accommodate the voters.
As part of the election protocol, permission will be required for public gatherings, rallies, and the use of loudspeakers and helicopters. To ensure a smooth electoral process, Suigam Mamlatdar has been appointed as the nodal officer overseeing the Vav Assembly election. Moreover, the Election Commission has set a spending limit of Rs 40 lakh for each campaign.
Gulab Singh Rajput's candidacy is particularly noteworthy given the political landscape in the region. He previously served as an MLA but faced a setback in the 2022 Legislative Assembly elections for Tharad, where he lost to BJP candidate Shankar Chaudhary.
Chaudhary received 117,891 votes, amounting to 54.27 percent of the total, while Rajput managed 91,385 votes, or 42.07 percent. Despite this loss, Rajput's selection signifies Congress’ determination to maintain its foothold in Vav.
The backdrop to this by-election is Geniben Thakor’s significant win in the 2022 elections, where she secured over 102,000 votes, representing 45.26 percent of the total votes. She defeated BJP's Swarup Thakor, who garnered around 86,000 votes, translating to 38.37 percent of the vote share.
Candidates from smaller parties, such as the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Aam Aadmi Party, received only marginal support, with the BSP candidate getting 1,849 votes and AAP’s Bhemajibhai Patel collecting 1,596 votes.
As the political dynamics evolve, the Vav by-election presents a crucial opportunity for Congress to reaffirm its influence in Banaskantha. The outcome will not only reflect the party's standing in the constituency but also serve as a litmus test for Rajput, who aims to leverage the party's previous successes to regain political ground.
The upcoming election is scheduled for November 13, with the results set to be announced on November 23. This time frame adds a layer of urgency for both the candidates and their respective parties as they gear up for a competitive race. The stakes are high, as the by-election will ultimately determine not just the future of Rajput but also the broader political landscape in Gujarat.
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