In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, Gujarat's BJP candidates from Sabarkantha and Vadodara were initially announced as Bhikaji Thakor and Ranjan Bhatt, respectively. However, local party workers protested these choices, prompting the BJP to replace them. Sabarkantha's ticket was given to Shobhana Baraiya and Vadodara's to Hemang Joshi, yet dissent continues to simmer within the party ranks.
In constituencies like Sabarkantha, Vadodara, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, and Valsad, BJP hopefuls are facing stiff opposition from within their party. Even the swapping of candidates for Sabarkantha has done little to quell the unrest. Shobhana Baraiya, meanwhile, has come under fire as she was not considered an active BJP worker despite her candidacy, raising questions about the criteria for nomination.
The protest against Shobhana Baraiya
Party activists argue Baraiya's nomination is unwarranted as she wasn't an active BJP member. Vadodara BJP may have shifted its candidate but supporters of local MLA Ketan Inamdar's are rallying against the decision. A WhatsApp group has been launched under the campaign 'I support Ketan Inamdar'.
It's worth noting that Hemang Joshi is the current vice-chairman of Vadodara Municipality's school board. For the Surendranagar Lok Sabha seat, the BJP has nominated Chandubhai Shihora, but his selection as an outsider has sparked discontent among local activists. Originally from Morbi, Shihora's designation for Surendranagar has left local party workers disgruntled.
Rajkot's seat and the opposition to Parsottam Rupala
From Rajkot, the BJP nominated Parsottam Rupala. Controversy erupted among the Kshatriya community due to Rupala's remarks about the Rajputs during an election campaign event with the Valmiki community. Rupala has since apologized for his statement, but the demand to change the candidate persists in the Kshatriya society.
Posters Against Mansukh Mandaviya
In the Porbandar constituency, posters against central minister Mansukh Mandaviya, an outside candidate, surfaced alongside the photo of Congress contestant Lalit Vasoya. These posters raise the question, 'Who will work for the region in the next five years?' implying the electorate's preference for a local candidate. Vasoya has accused BJP insiders of being behind the posters, suggesting a divide within the BJP camp.
Worker opposition in Valsad against Dhaval Patel
For the Valsad Lok Sabha seat, the BJP nominated Dhaval Patel, leading to various banners and pamphlets campaigning for a candidate change. Despite pleas to party leadership, including Prime Minister Modi and party chief JP Nadda, the BJP stands firm on its decision, stating there will be no replacement.
BJP Fields Candidates for All 26 Seats
The BJP has declared candidates for all of Gujarat's 26 seats, while the Congress is contesting on 24, with 17 candidates announced so far. The remaining 7 are yet to be announced. The Congress has formed an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party for the Bharuch and Bhavnagar Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat.
