BJP wins Manjalpur bypoll, but sharp fall in margin rings alarm bells
The BJP retained the Manjalpur assembly seat in a recent by-election, though the victory margin significantly decreased compared to the 2022 elections. Voter turnout was notably low at 37.5%, raising questions about the party's local dominance.
Why it matters
A shrinking victory margin in a stronghold constituency can signal shifting voter sentiment or organizational challenges for a ruling party.
VADODARA: The BJP retained its stronghold of Manjalpur in Gujarat's Vadodara district on Monday, but the sharp decline in its victory margin compared with the 2022 assembly elections could raise concerns for the ruling party despite its comfortable bypoll win.BJP candidate Satish Govindbhai Patel defeated Congress challenger and former minister Bhikhabhai Rabari by 30,630 votes. While the victory keeps the seat firmly with the BJP, the margin was significantly lower than the 1,00,754-vote lead secured by the party in the 2022 assembly elections, when the BJP recorded a historic performance in Gujarat.According to the Election Commission, Satish Patel secured 55,481 votes, while Rabari polled 24,851 votes after all 20 rounds of counting.
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