BJP, Congress file nominations for Manjalpur bypoll, trade barbs over governance

The ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress on Monday put up contrasting views after their candidates filed nominations for the July 30 bypoll to Manjalpur Assembly constituency in Vadodara, with the Congress attacking the State government’s governance record and the BJP promising to take forward the work of late MLA Yogesh Patel.

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

Congress candidate Bhikhabhai Rabari, vice-president of Gujarat Congress and former Minister of State, said the elections will be held over civic issues affecting the constituency and Vadodara city, including poor infrastructure, traffic congestion and allegations of corruption.

“There are many problems. The problems that affect the entire city are also the problems of Manjalpur. Traffic, dirty drinking water, overflowing drainage and bad roads are some of the major concerns. The BJP has failed to solve these problems,” Mr. Rabari told reporters after announcing his candidacy.

Claiming that the BJP government has not fulfilled its promise to develop Vadodara as a smart city, Mr. Rabari alleged that corruption has become rampant under his rule. He said he wanted to be the voice of the people and challenge what he called “unilateral rule.”

Asked about his election prospects, Mr Rabari said: “Victory or defeat will be decided by the voters, but I am running to win.”

BJP candidate Satish Patel said his priority will be to complete the unfinished business of late Yogesh Patel and take forward his vision for the constituency.

“The incomplete work of Yogeshbhai will be completed. We will continue the work started by Yogeshbhai and will also take new initiatives. We will fulfill the vision he had for Manjalpur,” Mr. Patel said.

Expressing confidence in the future of the party, Mr. Patel said that the BJP has the support of both its workers and voters.

“This seat always belonged to the Bharatiya Janata Party and will remain with the BJP. The people decided to show their true respect to the late Yogeshbhai Patel by voting in large numbers,” he said.

While the BJP announced Mr. Patel, a former Vadodara Municipal Corporation councilor and former president of the party’s Vadodara district unit, as its candidate on July 10, the Congress also nominated Mr. Rabari on July 12.

Voting for the by-election will be held on July 30, and votes will be counted on August 3.