Congress supported independents/RLD in power in three Municipalities (updated post)

Ahmedabad, 7 May 2013

Gujarat Congress today claimed that independent candidates supported by Congress party have captured Municipalities of Viramgam, Keshod and Veraval-Somnath.

Municipality: President
Viramgam: Jainalben Jahir Abbas Patel
Keshod: Amin Ibrahim Mahida
Veraval-Somnath: Ravi Gohel

Gujarat Congress President Arjun Modhwadia, Leader of opposition Shankersinh Vaghela congratulated those elected to power.

What happened actually?

In Keshod Municipality, Rashtriya Lokdal(RLD)’s candidate became the President. RLD broke alliance with BJP and tied up with Congress. BJP and Congress each had 14-14 councillors, while RLD had 8 councillors. Majority mark was 19. RLD’s Amin Mahida became first Muslim president of Keshod Municipality while Congress’s Khimabhai Karamta became Vice President for next two and half years. It should be mentioned that for first two and half years term also RLD’s man was President, but with BJP’s support.

In Veraval Municipality independent candidate Ravi Gohel elected as President and Udaybhai Shah as Vice President. Municipality has 17 independents while Congress has 13 Councillors. Congress Councillors supported independent candidate Ravi Gohel for the post of President.

In Viramgam the term is reserved for woman candidate. Independent Jainabben Zahir Abbas Patel (Dowdi Bohra) was elected President. Viramgam municipality has 36 members. BJP had 16, independents had 20 members. One BJP Councillor is dead. Thus BJP had 15 Councillors. One independent Councillor SK Vora was absent. Thus there were 19 independents. 18 independents votes for independent candidate Jainabben, while 14 BJP Councillors voted for their candidate Sadhnaben Solanki. Independent candidate was victorious at the end of the election.

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