BJP sweeps three Gujarat municipalities unopposed before polling

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured control of three municipalities in Gujarat Kadi, Unjha, and Gandevi even before polling, after rival candidates withdrew or had their nominations rejected during scrutiny, officials said.

In Unjha municipality (Mehsana district), the BJP crossed the majority mark with 22 of 36 seats declared unopposed . Election officer Biren Patel said 14 nominations were withdrawn and 44 rejected , leaving polling for the remaining 14 seats on April 26.

In Kadi municipality , the BJP won 28 of 36 seats uncontested following withdrawals by independents and other candidates. State Election Commission data showed 23 forms rejected and five withdrawals , with the party securing seven of nine wards unopposed. Polling will be held for eight seats in the remaining two wards.

Senior BJP leader Nitin Patel called the development “unprecedented,” claiming Kadi could be the first municipality in Gujarat where the party secured a two-thirds majority without voting . He added that some opposition candidates withdrew in the interest of development.

In Gandevi municipality (Navsari district), 16 nomination forms of Indian National Congress candidates were rejected for lacking party mandates or affidavits, while one candidate withdrew. As a result, 22 of 24 seats went uncontested , with polling required for only two seats.

While the BJP described the outcome as a reflection of its strong grassroots presence, the Congress questioned the high number of rejections and withdrawals , alleging possible pressure on candidates and calling for transparency.

Polling for remaining seats is scheduled for April 26 , with counting on April 28 . The elections are part of a large statewide exercise covering local bodies across Gujarat, including major municipal corporations.