BJP Nominates GUJCTOC Accused’s Brother for Junagadh Civic Bypoll
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Political temperatures have risen in Junagadh after the announcement of the by-election for a vacant seat in Ward No. 3 of the Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC). With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) submitting nominations on the final day of filing, the contest is set to witness a three-cornered fight.
The seat had previously been won unopposed by the BJP. However, the party’s decision to field the brother of a Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GUJCTOC) Act accused has sparked political debate in the city ahead of the bypoll.
BJP fields brother of suspended corporator Abbas Qureshi
The Ward No. 3 seat fell vacant after BJP corporator Abbas Qureshi was suspended from the municipal corporation for remaining absent from general body meetings for an extended period.
Abbas Qureshi was booked under the GUJCTOC Act and are currently lodged in jail. Despite the controversy, the BJP has nominated Akram Ibrahim Qureshi, Abbas Qureshi’s brother, as its candidate for the by-election.
Political observers have questioned the party’s choice, as the BJP has traditionally maintained that it prioritises candidates with clean public images.
Congress and AAP nominate relatives of local leaders
The Congress has fielded Ashrafbhai Ibrahimbhai Qureshi, husband of Ward No. 8 corporator Senilaben Thaim, while the Aam Aadmi Party has nominated Mehboobbhai Allarkhabhai Panja, brother of Congress corporator and former Leader of Opposition Adreman Panja.
With only three candidates filing nominations by the deadline, no independent or fourth-party contender will be in the race, ensuring a triangular contest in the ward.
Row intensifies after BJP candidate’s father detained
The controversy surrounding the BJP candidate deepened after his father, Ibrahim Qureshi, was allegedly detained by police in connection with a gambling case a day before the nomination process concluded.
As per local reports, senior BJP leaders, including the city unit president and municipal office-bearers, did not accompany Akram Qureshi during the filing of his nomination papers. Their absence has triggered widespread discussion in Junagadh’s political circles, reportedly due to concerns over public criticism of the party’s decision.
