Godhra: In a significant blow to the main opposition party, Panchmahal District Congress Committee president Chetansinh Parmar has quit the party and officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday.

Amid rising political heat ahead of the upcoming local body elections, Parmar joined the BJP in the presence of Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi at Ghoghamba, where he was welcomed into the party with a saffron scarf.

Parmar was accompanied by a large number of supporters and workers, triggering a notable shift in Panchmahal’s political landscape.

Speaking to the media after joining the BJP, Parmar said, “In the current circumstances, I felt I was not able to work effectively in the Congress as its president. This led to a sense of guilt, as I believe that whatever position we hold, we should give our absolute best. In such a situation, I did not feel capable of performing to the fullest, and therefore decided to leave the Congress party.”

Congress Faces Candidate Crunch

The development comes at a time when the Congress is already grappling with a severe shortage of candidates for the elections. As per the current situation:

– Godhra Municipality: Only 7 candidates fielded for 44 seats
– Taluka Panchayat: 106 candidates contesting for 148 seats
– District Panchayat: 29 candidates in the fray for 31 seats

DeshGujarat