Congress candidate Bhikha Rabari filed his nomination papers for the Manjalpur Assembly by-election in Vadodara. Senior party leaders highlighted the election as a chance for voters to address civic issues, governance, and inflation. The nomination was supported by Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Chavda, Leader of the Opposition Tushar Chaudhary, and other party officials.
Addressing the media, Chavda emphasized that the by-election was not just about one constituency but a stand against corruption and mismanagement in Vadodara. He praised Rabari’s political experience and connection with the public, citing his previous roles within the party. The Congress leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, endorsed Rabari’s candidacy.
Chavda accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of neglecting civic issues in Vadodara, particularly during the monsoon season. He criticized the BJP for alleged corruption leading to flooding and emphasized that the Congress would focus its campaign on issues like corruption, inflation, unemployment, and education.
Rabari, a prominent Congress leader, has a history of serving in the Gujarat government and currently holds a key position within the GPCC. The Manjalpur Assembly seat became vacant after the passing of BJP MLA Yogesh Patel. The BJP has nominated Satish Patel for the by-election, setting the stage for a competitive electoral battle in Gujarat.
The Election Commission has set the polling date for July 30, with the votes to be counted on August 3. The nomination process ends on July 13, followed by scrutiny on July 14 and the option for candidates to withdraw until July 16.
