Congress to Go Solo in Visavadar, Kadi By-Elections; Gohil Urges AAP to Step Aside for BJP Defeat

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Ahmedabad: In a strategic shift ahead of two crucial bypolls in Gujarat, the state Congress unit announced it will contest independently in the Visavadar and Kadi Assembly constituencies, opting not to partner with INDIA bloc ally Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The decision marks a significant political development, even as both parties continue to share space in the national opposition alliance.

Speaking to the media, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee President Shaktisinh Gohil said the choice to go solo was made after a detailed assessment of voter trends in the state. “Gujaratis have never voted for a third front. Here, it is either Congress or the BJP,” Gohil said.

He added, “During the last elections, the AAP tried its best. All of the big leaders of the AAP campaigned for the party, but they were still only able to get 10.5-11 per cent of votes and damaged the Congress party in elections.”

The Visavadar seat in Junagadh district has been lying vacant since December 2023, following the resignation of AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani, who later joined the BJP. The Kadi seat in Mehsana district—reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates—became vacant after the death of sitting BJP MLA Karsan Solanki on February 4.

Gohil made it clear that while Congress is asserting its independence in the Gujarat bypolls, it remains committed to the national opposition alliance. “On a national level, we are all part of the INDIA alliance, and we are one,” he stated.

However, he urged AAP to reconsider its participation in the upcoming by-elections. “To defeat the BJP, the main opposition party is Congress… We urge the AAP to withdraw their candidates (for the upcoming Visavadar and Kadi by-elections)… The Congress party will fight elections in both seats,” he said.

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