Nail-Biting By-Elections: AAP Gains Edge in Visavadar

In Gujarat's bypolls, AAP's Gopal Italia leads slightly in Visavadar, while BJP's Rajendra Chavda remains ahead in Kadi after early counts. The by-elections follow vacancies in these assembly seats due to resignations and deaths. Despite BJP's historical dominance, pockets of strong competition persist.

The political landscape in Gujarat saw intense competition as the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Gopal Italia narrowly led in Visavadar, and the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Rajendra Chavda secured a lead in Kadi following the initial rounds of counting for the assembly seat bypolls.

The byelections were necessitated after the Visavadar seat became vacant in December 2023 following AAP legislator Bhupendra Bhayani's resignation to join BJP, and the Kadi seat was vacated after BJP MLA Karsan Solanki's death in February.

Despite BJP's dominant presence in Gujarat over the years, the Visavadar seat remains elusive since 2007. In Kadi, BJP's Rajendra Chavda continues to lead with 12,701 votes, surpassing Congress' Ramesh Chavda. High voter turnout underscores the tri-party rivalry as the BJP, Congress, and AAP vie for these crucial seats.

(With inputs from agencies.)