2022 Assembly elections: BJP sweeps Gujarat, seals 7th consecutive term
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has successfully overcome anti-incumbency to storm into power in Gujarat Assembly for seventh consecutive term. The saffron party won an overwhelming majority in the crucial state, winning 156 in the 182-seat Assembly. While Congress was just reduced to 17 seats, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) opened its account with five seats as the counting culminated. Others secured four seats.
Why does this story matter?
The state witnessed a triangular contest between the BJP, Congress, and AAP. However, there were speculations that AAP may spring some surprise due to its rigorous campaigning aimed at the incumbent BJP. The BJP, AAP, and Congress were fighting it out in the western state while analysts say BJP had an edge in that state.
Thumping win for BJP
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the BJP won 156 seats and Congress and its allies won 17 seats. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's AAP got five seats while other parties, including independent candidates, got four seats. The BJP raced to crossed the majority mark in the early trends. Elections in the state were held in two phases, and were concluded on Monday.
Encouraging urban seats in BJP's kitty
The BJP has won majority of seats in Ahmedabad city, which went to polls in the second round of the elections. These seats were critical for the saffron party, which has traditionally had an advantage in these elections since 1990. With AAP's entry and fielding of its candidates in all urban seats, the competition became a little more difficult for the BJP.
Exit polls too had predicted BJP's comfortable win
The majority of exit polls had predicted a clean sweep for BJP in Gujarat Assembly polls. The P-MARQ exit poll had predicted AAP winning 128-148 seats in the state elections. Congress was predicted to win 30-42 seats. The forecast gave AAP 2-10 seats, and others 1-2 seats. BJP was also predicted to get over 60% of seats in central Gujarat-a Congress bastion.
Other parties in the battle
Apart from the three parties, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) had fielded 30 candidates, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) 57, Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) 14, Samajwadi Party (SP) 12, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) four, the Communist Party of India (CPI) two. Around 64% of 4.9 crore voters sealed the fate of nearly 1,621 candidates.
