As the Lok Sabha 2024 election dates could be announced at any time in the second week of March, reports reveal that Gujarat is likely to host by-elections in four seats along with general elections.

Leaders of the opposition in Gujarat have resigned from their respective seats ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, either to join the BJP or to signal plans to join the BJP.

Who resigned from which seat in Gujarat?

The season of turncoats in Gujarat began with Visavadar constituency leader Bhupat Bhayani’s resignation from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and his joining the BJP in December 2023.

Congress’s Chirag Patel, a member of parliament (MLA) from Khambhat, also resigned and joined the BJP.

One of the veteran leaders, Chatursinh Javanji Chavda, or CJ Chavda, resigned from Congress in Vijapur with intentions to join the BJP in January 2024.

Dharmendrasinh Vaghela also resigned from the Waghodia seat to join the BJP.

Therefore, the four seats—Khambhat, Vijapur, Visavadar, and Waghodia are vacant for now.

By-elections are likely to happen in Gujarat as leaders including MLA Jetha Bharwad, deputy chief whip Kaushik Vekariya, former MLA Jitu Chaudhary, former minister Raman Patkar, and MLA Ganpat Vasava have applied for BJP tickets.

As per reports, by-elections at these four seats will be announced with Lok Sabha elections, and there will be two electronic voting machines (EVMs) at these seats. After the release of the second list of BJP candidates, contenders for these four seats are likely to be announced.

By-elections are conducted in the event of a candidate’s resignation, death, or disqualification, according to parliamentary law.

Also Read: 

Gujarat AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani resigns, set to join BJP

Another Congress MLA, CJ Chavda, resigns from Vijapur seat