Manjalpur Bypoll: BJP and Congress File Nominations, Clash Over Governance

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition Congress on Monday filed nominations for the July 30 bypoll to the Manjalpur Assembly constituency in Vadodara, with both parties presenting contrasting campaign pitches.

The bypoll was necessitated after the death of sitting BJP MLA and former Gujarat Minister Yogesh Patel on June 2 following a prolonged illness.

Congress candidate Bhikhabhai Rabari, vice-president of the Gujarat Congress and a former state minister, said the election would focus on civic issues affecting the constituency and Vadodara city, including poor infrastructure, traffic congestion, and alleged corruption.

“There are many issues. The problems affecting the entire city are also the issues of Manjalpur. Traffic, dirty drinking water, overflowing drainage and poor roads are some of the major concerns. The BJP has failed to address these issues,” Rabari told reporters after filing his nomination.

He alleged that the BJP government had failed to fulfil its promise of developing Vadodara as a smart city, and claimed corruption had become rampant under its rule. Rabari said he wanted to be the voice of the people and challenge what he described as “one-sided rule.” Asked about his electoral prospects, he said, “Victory or defeat will be decided by the electorate, but I am contesting to win.”

BJP nominee Satish Patel, a former Vadodara Municipal Corporation councillor and former president of the party’s Vadodara district unit, said his priority would be to complete the unfinished works of the late Yogesh Patel and carry forward his vision for the constituency.

“The incomplete works of Yogeshbhai will be completed. We will continue what Yogeshbhai started and also undertake new initiatives. We will fulfil the vision he had for Manjalpur,” Patel said.

Expressing confidence in the party’s prospects, Patel said the BJP enjoyed the support of both its workers and the electorate. “This seat has always belonged to the Bharatiya Janata Party and will remain with the BJP. The people have decided that by voting in large numbers they will pay true tribute to late Yogeshbhai Patel,” he said.

The BJP announced Patel as its candidate on July 10, while the Congress named Rabari on July 12. Polling for the by-election will be held on July 30, and the votes will be counted on August 3.