Was offered ₹25 lakh to withdraw: alleges Ahmedabad Congress candidate ahead of civic polls
Updated: Apr 15th, 2026
A Congress candidate in the Amdabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections has alleged that she was offered ₹25 lakh by a former BJP corporator to withdraw her nomination, intensifying political tensions amid the ongoing local body polls in Ahmedabad.
Binaben Modi, contesting from the Ramol-Hathijan ward on a ticket from the Indian National Congress (INC), claimed she had been under sustained pressure from intermediaries to pull out of the race.
She alleged that the offer was made by former BJP corporator and candidate Maulik Patel, though she said he did not respond when contacted for clarification.
“I have been receiving repeated calls and approaches since filing my nomination on April 11, with offers of money to withdraw. I was even told I would be paid ₹25 lakh if I did not proceed with the scrutiny process and withdrew my form,” Modi said.
Rejecting the allegations, she asserted that her decision to contest was driven by public service and not financial considerations. “I have not entered politics for money. I will not withdraw my candidature under any circumstances,” she added.
Modi said she has long been associated with the Congress and denied facing direct threats, but alleged that attempts were being made to influence her decision through inducements.
The BJP leader named in the allegations could not be reached for comment.
The incident comes amid a series of claims during local elections in Gujarat of opposition candidates being pressured or lured to withdraw nominations, raising concerns over the fairness of the electoral process.
