The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 will begin from April 19 and the final results will be out on June 4. In Gujarat, people will vote for their representatives for 26 seats in a single phase which is in the third phase on May 7, 2024.
Let’s look at what the analysis says for Amreli, Rajkot, Chhota Udaipur, Bardoli and Anand Lok Sabha seats:
Amreli
BJP - Bharat Sutariya
INC - Jennyben Thummar
While BJP’s candidate Bharatbhai Sutariya has a clean image but he is not a well-known face which is not a good indicator of being a MP candidate. However, Sutaria has the support of MLA Kaushik Vekariya who exercises a lot of influence among the district BJP organization. INC’s candidate Jennyben Thummar is a young and well-educated; hence she will give a tough fight. She is currently campaigning on the lack of local development of the district and farmers’ issues.
There is a lot of resentment in Kshatriya community against the BJP, however, here’s where the Modi factor can play a big role. The Leva Patel community is an additional vote that the BJP can attract towards it.
Rajkot
BJP - Parshottam Rupala
INC - Paresh Dhanani
BJP candidate Parshottam Rupala is a strong candidate and has the support of all MLAs. MLA Kuvarji Bavaliya and former MLA Bharatbhai Bogra have a good influence in public. The Kshatriya community is opposing the candidate which can cause loss to BJP in Jasdan and Wankaner. Many leaders who had fought under the banner of AAP during Assembly elections have now joined BJP, which is a win-win for both sides.
Overall, the seat looks certain for the BJP but the party needs to balance the ongoing protest by the Kshatriya community. It will be beneficial for BJP if Kunwar Bavaliya in Jasdan can be active in rural areas of Koli community and Bharatbhai Bogra in the Patel community.
Chhota Udaipur
BJP - Jashubhai Rathwa
INC - Shukhram Rathva
The recent defections from INC to BJP have obviously given a lot of edge to the Bhartiya Janata Party in the state. Infact, all is well for the BJP candidate Jashubhai Rathwa as well. However, the promise to solve the long process of tribal certificate in the assembly can negatively impact the party.
INC has fielded Shukhram Rathva who is the father of BJP leader Rajendra Rathwa. If the party is able to bring him into their fold, both father-son duo can make a huge difference.
Bardoli
BJP - Parbhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava
INC - Sidharth Choudhari
The Mandvi, Vyara and Nijar areas have strongholds of the Congress, so BJP will remain weak here. BJP candidate Parbhubhai Vasava does not agree with the Mandvi MLA Kuvarji Hadapati who wants to save his Christian and Tribal votes. Congress’ Sidharth Choudhari will give a tough fight along with the support of AAP voters but chances of him winning look bleak.
If BJP is able to organize meetings of Christian leaders like Ritesh Vasava, Mohan Kokani in Vyara, Nijar and Mandvi, it will be a more the merrier situation for the party.
Anand
BJP - Patel Mitesh Rameshbhai
INC - Amit Chavda
The Kshatriya community issue can become a contention point for the Bhartiya Janata Party on the Anand Lok Sabha seat. They can move towards INC’s Amit Chavda as an alternative. Although the Congress party’s organizational strength is weak here, Amit Chavda keeps roaming alone and remains active in various areas.
In BJP, a lot of leaders like Dilip Mani, Deepak Sathi, Kanti Sodha Parmar, Jagat Patel, Sojitra, Maheshbhai Solanki and Babalbhai Patel are inactive for not getting tickets. Now, it remains to be seen if BJP can activate them on ground.
