Local body polls: Congress faces setback

As Gujarat gears up for local body elections, the Congress party has suffered a significant political setback.

- FPJ NEWS SERVICE

Following the scrutiny of nomination forms for municipal, taluka, and district panchayat elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already secured multiple seats unopposed.

However, the Congress has raised serious concerns over the electoral process, alleging misuse of police and administrative influence by the BJP to intimidate and pressure Congress candidates into withdrawing their nominations.

Congress Faces Political Shock in Junagadh

In Junagadh, nine out of sixty Congress candidates withdrew their nominations in favor of the BJP, resulting in unopposed victories for BJP candidates in two municipal wards.

A major blow came in Ward No. 12, where a Congress candidate pulled out, though competition remains on this seat due to other contestants.

Dilip Gale, a nominee from the Other Backward Caste (OBC) category, also withdrew in support of the BJP.

The scrutiny process confirmed the withdrawal of Congress candidates, marking a significant political jolt for the party ahead of the elections.