BJP Mandate Takes a Hit: 21 Candidates Defeated in Idar & Dholka APMC Polls
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The BJP faced a major setback in the Idar and Dholka Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) elections, with 21 candidates contesting on BJP mandates losing, despite the party deploying its district and taluka-level organisational machinery.
BJP Mandate Challenged in Idar
In the Idar market yard election, 10 candidates of the Khedut Ekta Panel, which contested against the BJP-backed candidates despite the party's mandate system, won all the farmer-category seats. The BJP-backed candidates suffered a complete defeat in the farmer division, giving a major setback to the party's organisational influence.
The results were particularly significant as several prominent BJP-linked office-bearers were among those defeated, including the BJP taluka general secretary, the sitting and former market yard chairpersons and office-bearers associated with Sabarkantha Dairy.
Three BJP-Backed Candidates Win in Trader Category
The trader division, comprising four seats, saw a relatively better performance by the BJP-backed panel. Three BJP-supported candidates won, while one seat went to Rahul Patel of rival Satish Patel's panel.
Voting had been high in both categories, with 98.18% turnout in the farmer division and 100% in the trader division. Counting was held on Thursday.
Farmer Panel Maintains Lead From Start
In the farmer division, all 10 candidates of the Satish Patel-led Khedut Ekta Panel reportedly maintained their lead from the beginning of counting. The trend left the BJP camp disappointed, with several senior party leaders leaving the counting venue even before the final results were announced.
Once the results were declared, all BJP-mandate candidates in the farmer division had lost, while all 10 candidates of the Khedut Ekta Panel emerged victorious.
Dholka BJP Stronghold Suffers Major Blow
The BJP also suffered a major setback in Ahmedabad district's Dholka Market Yard, where the party's influence of more than three decades came under pressure.
The Kisan Vikas Panel, backed by farmers, won all 10 seats in the farmer division, defeating the BJP-backed Khedut Sahkar Panel. Among those defeated was district BJP general secretary Devesh Patel.
Internal Discontent Hurts BJP Panel
According to the report, dissatisfaction among some candidates over the prominence given to a leader who had switched from Congress to the BJP contributed to the setback. Disgruntled candidates reportedly returned their party mandates and openly supported the Kisan Vikas Panel.
The results indicate that internal dissent and discontent among farmers played a key role in the BJP-backed panel's defeat in Dholka, while the Idar results also exposed resistance to the party's mandate system.
