Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP party has won its first seat in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections after opposition candidate Nilesh Kumbhani's nomination was rejected and other candidates withdrew from the fray. Mukesh Dalal of the BJP was declared elected from Surat after candidates from smaller parties and Congress withdrew on the last day of withdrawal. The Congress has accused the BJP of "match-fixing" in an attempt to win over the anger of MSME owners and the business community in Surat.
BJP's Surprise Victory in Surat: A Deeper Dive
In a surprising turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured its first seat in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, capturing the Surat constituency. This unexpected victory, marked by the absence of opposition candidates, has raised questions and sparked accusations.
Background:
Surat, a diamond hub and economic powerhouse in Gujarat, has long been a stronghold for the BJP. However, in recent years, the party has faced growing challenges from the Congress and other opposition parties. In the 2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections, the Congress won seven out of eight seats in Surat.
Recent Events:
The current Lok Sabha elections witnessed a twist in Surat when opposition candidate Nilesh Kumbhani's nomination was rejected by the Election Commission. Subsequently, other candidates from smaller parties and the Congress withdrew from the fray on the last day of withdrawal. This left BJP's Mukesh Dalal as the sole candidate, leading to his unopposed victory.
Accusations and Counter-Claims:
The Congress has alleged that the BJP engaged in "match-fixing" to ensure Dalal's victory. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala accused the BJP of "bullying and intimidating" opposition candidates and "engineering the withdrawal of its nominees."
Meanwhile, the BJP has denied these accusations, calling them "baseless and politically motivated." Gujarat BJP chief C.R. Paatil claimed that the smaller parties and the Congress withdrew voluntarily, citing a lack of support and popular sentiment in favor of the BJP.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Why was Nilesh Kumbhani's nomination rejected? Ans: The Election Commission rejected Kumbhani's nomination for failing to provide a no-objection certificate from his former employer.
2. Which parties withdrew from the Surat Lok Sabha contest? Ans: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), among others, withdrew their candidates.
3. Has the BJP won any other seats in the Lok Sabha elections? Ans: Yes, as of April 12, 2023, the BJP has won 30 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
4. What are the implications of the BJP's victory in Surat? Ans: The victory strengthens the BJP's position in Gujarat and may provide a boost to the party's electoral prospects in the state.
5. What is the status of the Congress's allegations of match-fixing? Ans: The Election Commission is currently investigating the allegations, and no formal charges have been filed.
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