Post-saffron sweep in Gujarat local polls, Congress accepts results, vows to fight for democracy

The Gujarat Congress on Tuesday accepted the results of the local body polls, which were swept by the ruling BJP, and vowed to continue its fight for the rights of people, democracy and the Constitution. Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Chavda claimed there were resentment and disappointment among the people of the state against the saffron outfit, which is in power in Gandhinagar for nearly three decades, but these sentiments did not translate into votes. The Grand Old Party won 1,050 seats in taluka panchayats, 136 in district panchayats, 459 in municipalities and 95 in municipal corporations, totalling 1,740 out of more than 9,200 seats which went to polls on April 26. Counting of votes was held on Tuesday. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won all the 15 municipal corporations that went to the polls besides 33 out of 34 district panchayats. Though final results of 250 taluka panchayats and 84 municipalities were awaited, State Election Commission (SEC) data showed the ruling party has won most of these local bodies while some were bagged by the Congress, AAP and independents. ''The Congress will continue to fight for the rights of the people, democracy, and the Constitution. We accept the results delivered by the citizens of Gujarat,'' Chavda said in a video message. ''The disappointment and outrage of people against the misgovernance and corruption of the BJP did not translate into votes,'' he claimed. The GPCC chief emphasised voters have given a majority to the Congress in various municipalities and taluka panchayats, where polls were held. ''We will ensure corruption-free administration and address citizens' concerns across all local bodies,'' Chavda asserted. The Congress will raise people's issues wherever the party is in Opposition, he assured. ''Our elected representatives will fight for citizens' rights wherever their tax money is being misused or looted,'' the Congress leader insisted. ''We will become the voice of Gujarat citizens as a responsible Opposition and advance the Congress ideology by engaging with people and winning their trust,'' Chavda insisted and congratulated the winning party candidates. Polling for 15 municipal corporations, 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats and 260 taluka panchayats was held on Sunday, covering more than 4.18 crore voters in a mega electoral exercise ahead of the 2027 assembly polls. The elections were held under revised norms for Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations, which required extensive delimitation and ward restructuring in several districts.

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