Japan K Pathak, Gandhinagar: The commencement of the Gujarat Assembly’s budget session has officially kicked off an intensive, year-long political season for the state. According to political analysts, Gujarat is entering a period marked by three distinct “seasons”: a marathon legislative session, large-scale local elections that serve as a “semi-final,” and a historic shift in Rajya Sabha representation.

The Assembly Session: A Platform for Narrative Attempting

The current budget session is a statutory necessity that typically lasts one and a half months. Unlike shorter two-day or four-day sessions, the budget session requires extensive time for department-wise discussions and approvals of financial demands.

While the government uses this time to present its development agenda through the budget, the opposition—despite being smaller in number—views this as a crucial platform for visibility. Opposition MLAs often use the floor to raise vocal questions and attract media attention, aiming to establish themselves as active representatives even in the face of potential suspensions.

Local Body Elections: The Semi-Final Battle

Following the legislative session, Gujarat is expected to witness massive local elections, which are considered the third-largest electoral events in terms of voter turnout after the Lok Sabha and State Assembly polls. These elections will include:

• Major Municipal Corporations such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot.

• A vast number of District Panchayats, Taluka Panchayats, and Municipalities.

The timing remains somewhat uncertain due to the ongoing S.I.R. (Special Investment Region) process and the preparation of final electoral lists. While elections are ideally expected in April or May to avoid the monsoon season, any legal challenges or stays from the court could push them to the post-monsoon period. These polls are viewed as a “semi-final” ahead of the next assembly elections, serving as a survey of the BJP’s popularity and a critical battle for the “leading opposition” spot between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

A Historic “Zero” for Congress in the Rajya Sabha

The third major political development will occur in June, when four Rajya Sabha seats from Gujarat fall vacant. The incumbent members reaching the end of their six-year terms are:

• Rambhai Mokariya (BJP)

• Shobhanaben Baraiya (BJP)

• Narhari Amin (BJP)

• Shaktisinh Gohil (Congress)

Due to the current strength of the BJP in the State Assembly, it is almost certain that the ruling party will secure all four seats. This will create a historic milestone: for the first time in Gujarat’s history, the Congress party will have zero representation from the state in the Rajya Sabha.

Furthermore, following recent trends within the BJP, it is expected that the party will introduce four new faces rather than renewing the terms of the outgoing MPs. While the identities of these candidates remain a closely guarded secret, new representatives from Gujarat are expected to join the Parliament by mid-year.

As 2026 progresses, the political landscape in Gujarat will shift from “headline hunting” in the Assembly to a grassroots struggle for local power, culminating in a complete consolidation of Rajya Sabha seats by the ruling party. For the citizens of Gujarat, the coming months promise a high-stakes environment of policy debates, election campaigns, and record-breaking political milestones.DeshGujarat