Going into the details of Congress’s Vanthali victory

Ahmedabad, 9 December 2011

At least two things were positive for the Gujarat Congress in recently concluded by-polls of local bodies. One was that the party secured 14 more seats compared to past. Second positive outcome was that the party snatched away one Vanthali municipality of Saurashtra from rival BJP. Vanthli is small town of southern Saurashtra. It is dominated by farmers and traders of agricultural produce.

Vanthli witnessed last general election in 2008. BJP won 13 seats and retained power, however 6 BJP members including then BJP President later joined opposition Congress party. They were then declared disqualified as per the law. When Congress Councillor Aminaben was supported for the post of President by BJP, the issue reached high court. BJP elected another President, but Vice President was elected from Congress party. There was a mess going on for some time here and people were fed up.

Even in a situation where Congress had 11 Councillors and BJP had 10(including two independents), the BJP continued to rule Vanthli. When consequently for three times, the budget couldn’t be passed due to lack of majority support of Councillors, the ruling body was superseded and an administrator took charge in June this year. This ultimately triggered a mid-term poll that was held on 4 December.

So now Congress party has come to power occupying 13 seats, while BJP is having 8 seats.

In ward no.1 BJP retained three seats, while in ward no.2 BJP retained its two seats while Congress retained one seat. In ward no. 3 BJP snatched away two seats of Congress and one seat of independent. Congress retained its three seats in ward no.4. In ward no. 5 Congress snatched away one seat from BJP and retained two seats. In ward no. 6 Congress snatched away one seat from independent and retained its two seats. In ward no.7 Congress gained two BJP seats and retained one.

Vanthli has considerably well number of Muslim voters. Congress had fielded three times more Muslim candidates than the BJP here. While one Muslim candidate of BJP has been victorious, two are defeated.

One person to whom credit should go for Congress party’s victory in Vanthli, is MLA of Manawadar Shri Jawahar Chavda, who according to local Congress workers, employed extra efforts to ensure victory here. Chavda convinced the people that Congress would give stable rule. Chavda is leader of the movement of local farmers against dark-zone. Chavda is actively taking interest in the affairs of Vanthli municipality for over three years. When five BJP Councillors including local President shifted to Congress party, Chavda organized a function in presence of another local Congress leaders including Porbandar MP Viththal Radadia.

As this was a mid-term poll, newly elected Vanthli civic body will function only for about 15 months. The next general election of Vanthli will be in February 2013. Before that, the assembly election will arrive and clear the air.

Modhwadia lying about Gadhada victory:BJP leader

BJP’s Bhavnagar district municipality cell Convener Hareshbhai Sodhatar has dubbed Gujarat Congress President Arjun Modhwadia a liar. In a statement, Sodhatar said that Modhwadia claimed Congress victory in Gadhada Municipality’s ward no.8 by-election which was untrue.

Sodhatar said that leading persons of BJP and Congress had organized a meeting and had asked local Koli community to suggest three names from their community. Later both BJP and Congress agreed upon one of the name from that list and decided to elect that person unopposed.

Sodhatar said this process was held in his presence. He said he is surprised to learn that Modhwadia is now claiming that Gadhada ward no.8 seat is Congress’s.