The Aam Aadmi Party's chief minister candidate Isudan Gadhvi has lost in Khambhaliya constituency despite maintaining an early lead on Thursday. The party's state chief Gopal Italia is also trailing behind his BJP rival in Katargam.
Gadhvi was chosen as the CM candidate after the party conducted a state-wide survey in which people were told to pick their choice. Khambhalia emerged as a keenly watched contest after the AAP picked Gadhvi to this politically high-profile constituency in the Saurashtra region. Questions were raised about Gadhvi's candidature in Khambhalia, which is dominated by the Ahir community. According to reports, only Ahir candidates have won this constituency since 1972.
Italia, the firebrand Patidar leader, has been AAP's Gujarat chief since 2020. In Katargam, BJP's Vinod Moradiya is leading with a margin of 66,277 votes, according to ECI website at 3pm. Italia was one of the high profile candidates and Katargam was considered to be a favourable seat for the AAP as it expected to cash in on an apparent disillusionment with the BJP among diamond and textile workers from the Patidar community of Saurashtra.
Congress candidate Variya, who belongs to the OBC Prajapati community, has failed to make any dent and as expected, the fight remained between BJP and AAP. Ever since the seat came into existence in 2012 following delimitation, Katargam has voted for the BJP.
The AAP put up a spirited campaign in the prestigious battle, with party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visiting the state multiple times and addressing the public. As counting proceeds on Thursday, the AAP maintains leads in five seats, with the BJP headed for a landslide victory.
