Gujarat by-polls: Visavadar and Kadi witness over 54 pc voter turnout

IANS June 20, 2025 396 views

Gujarat's Visavadar and Kadi constituencies witnessed over 54% voter turnout in the by-polls. The elections saw a three-way contest between BJP, Congress, and AAP. Voting was peaceful except for a minor clash between BJP and AAP workers. Results will be declared on June 23, marking a crucial test for all parties.

"The exercise was largely incident-free, except for a brief scuffle between BJP and Aam Aadmi Party workers in Viraval village." - Election Commission
Ahmedabad, June 19: Voting for the crucial by-elections in Gujarat’s Visavadar and Kadi Assembly constituencies concluded peacefully on Thursday, with both seats registering over 54 per cent voter turnout, according to the Election Commission of India.

Key Points

1

Visavadar records 54.61% turnout

2

Kadi sees 54.49% voting

3

BJP, Congress, and AAP in triangular contest

4

Counting scheduled for June 23

Visavadar logged a turnout of 54.61 per cent, while Kadi followed closely with 54.49 per cent. Final figures may see a slight uptick as data continues to be compiled.

Polling began at 7 AM and continued uninterrupted until 6 PM across 294 booths in each constituency. The exercise was largely incident-free, except for a brief scuffle between BJP and Aam Aadmi Party workers in Viraval village. Police intervened swiftly to defuse the situation.

The bypolls saw a triangular contest between the BJP, Congress, and AAP in both seats. In Visavadar (Junagadh district), the election was necessitated after sitting AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani resigned and joined the BJP. The BJP has now fielded Kirit Patel as its candidate, while the Congress has nominated Nitin Ranpariya, and AAP is represented by Gopal Italia.

The Kadi seat, reserved for Scheduled Castes, fell vacant following the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki. BJP’s Rajendra Chavda is in the fray against Congress’s Ramesh Chavda and AAP’s Jagdish Chavda—three candidates sharing the same surname but representing different parties.

To encourage maximum voter participation, authorities declared a public holiday in both constituencies. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 23.

Visavadar, located in Gujarat's Junagadh district, is a predominantly agrarian constituency with a mix of Patidar, Koli, and OBC communities. The region has a rich history in Gujarat's political landscape and was once represented by former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel.

Traditionally a BJP stronghold, Visavadar witnessed a political shift in 2022 when AAP's Bhupendra Bhayani won the seat, only to resign later and join the BJP, triggering the current by-election. The seat is closely watched due to its symbolic importance and shifting loyalties, especially among rural voters and small-scale farmers.

Kadi, part of Mehsana district, is an SC-reserved constituency with a significant Scheduled Caste population alongside OBC and general category voters. The constituency has been a BJP bastion for several terms, reflecting the party's strong organisational base in north Gujarat.

The death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki necessitated the bypoll, which is seen as a test of the BJP's continued influence among Dalit voters amid challenges posed by Congress and AAP. Urban pockets, industrial workers, and rural communities all play a role in shaping Kadi’s electoral outcomes, making it a politically diverse and competitive seat.

Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse user comments reflecting Indian perspectives on the Gujarat by-polls:
P
Priya M.
Good to see peaceful polling with decent turnout! Gujarat has always shown political maturity. Interesting to see AAP trying to make inroads after their Delhi success. But BJP's strong ground game is hard to beat here. Counting day will be exciting! 🇮🇳
R
Rahul K.
The MLA switching parties just months after winning shows how opportunistic politics has become. Voters elect someone for 5 years, not for them to jump ship! This culture needs to change. Hope people remember this during voting.
M
Meena P.
As someone from Gujarat, I'm happy to see the smooth voting process. Our state has developed so much under BJP rule, but healthy competition is good for democracy. The three Chavdas contesting in Kadi is quite amusing though! 😄
A
Arjun S.
Only 54% turnout is disappointing. People don't realize how important local elections are for development. These MLAs decide everything from roads to schools in your area. We need better voter awareness campaigns.
S
Sunita R.
The Visavadar seat history is fascinating! From Keshubhai Patel to AAP and now back to BJP possibly. Shows how Gujarat politics evolves while maintaining certain constants. Hope the new MLA focuses on farmers' issues - that's what matters most here.
V
Vikram J.
The scuffle between party workers is unfortunate but thankfully controlled quickly. EC should take strict action against such incidents to maintain decorum. Otherwise, good to see Gujarat maintaining its reputation for peaceful elections despite high stakes.

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Gujarat by-polls Visavadar Kadi BJP Congress AAP Election Commission