BJP, Congress feel the heat as Mavji Patel joins Vav bypoll race

Updated: Nov 4th, 2024


As Vav Assembly sets for the battle of by election, a triangular drama has started with BJP’s discontented leader, Mavji Patel’s candidature as independent candidate.

The campaigning has begun for the Vav Assembly seat bypoll scheduled on November 13. 

Currently, eight candidates are in the fray for Vav seat, including Patel. Recently, Patel held a massive rally in Akoli, Vav, drawing a large audience that left both Congress and BJP in conundrum.

A prominent figure in the Chaudhary community, Patel’s election symbol is a ‘bat’. As campaigning intensifies, analysts predict a fierce competition in this by-election.

In Akoli village of Vav taluka, Patel attracted people from 32 surrounding villages and communities to support him. He criticised both BJP and Congress, framing the election as a battle of ‘truth versus falsehood’.

Congress nominated Gulabsinh Rajput, while the BJP gave the ticket to Swaroopji Thakor, instead of Patel.

Previously a key BJP figure in Vav, Patel’s independent run has prompted the public to wonder if his candidacy stems from party encouragement or a reaction to personal dissatisfaction. Patel clarified that he filed his candidacy because the party ‘did not grant him a ticket’, not due to any disloyalty.

Caste equations play a substantial role in the Vav constituency with 3,10,681 voters. The largest group is the Thakor community, followed by Rajput and Chaudhary

Caste demographics in Vav constituency

- Total voters: 3,10,681

  - Thakor: 44,000

  - Rajput: 41,000

  - Chaudhary: 40,000

  - Dalit: 30,000

  - Rabari: 19,000

  - Brahmin: 15,000

  - Muslim: 14,500

Who is Mavji Patel?

Mavji Patel has previously led the Tharad-Vav Legislative Assembly. He has played an instrumental role in eliminating taxes on tractor-trolleys, equating them with ox-carts for farmers across Gujarat.

He was also close to former Chief Minister Chiman Patel. He is known for contesting elections independently whenever party tickets are not offered to him.

With a total of 3,10,000 voters (1,61,000 male and 1,49,000 female), the Vav constituency has 321 polling stations. Medical staff and over 1,400 officials will be stationed at each polling booth. The election will take place on November 13, 2024, and counting will be on November 23.

Also read:

Vav Assembly seat set for triangular contest in bypolls

Vav Assembly bypolls puts BJP in fix after 60 members want to contest

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