BJP romps home to power in city for 3rd time

SURAT: Putting all doubts to rest about its victory in the civic elections, BJP swept to power once again on Tuesday by winning 98 of the total 114 seats of Surat Municipal Corporation. The Congress came a poor second with 14 seats and MahaGujarat Janata Party (MJP) failed to open its account. One independent and one NCP candidate though registered their victories.

However, neither the BJP nor the Congress have been able to significantly increase their vote percentage despite nearly 3.5 per cent higher voting in this elections than in 2005. The BJP, which had secured 54.03 per cent votes last time, got about 52 per cent this time. The Congress, which secured 30.19 per cent votes last time, got about 32 per cent this time.

The MJP despite not winning any seat secured about 5 per cent votes same as that got by the independents. Over all, other parties including the independents have increased their vote share from 15.78 per cent to nearly 20 per cent this time.

CR Patil, BJP MP from Navsari, the man who directed the BJP's campaign in the city, said, "We don't have to say anything now. People of Surat have said everything. Now it is our duty to fulfill all the promises that we have made and take Surat to No. 1 position in the country."

Shambhu Prajapati, city unit Congress president, said, "We accept people's verdict but believe they ignored the issues of corruption and development to vote sentimentally. We will play the role of a constructive opposition."

A look at the over all result of the city shows that Congress has managed to capture four wards of Mughal Sarai, Salabatpura, Bamroli and Bhestan. Apart from that it won single seats in ward no. 26 of Anjana and ward no. 29 of Limbayat. The NCP, which opened its account this time, has won from Ward No. 27 of Dumbhal where as the independent Prakash Desai won from Ward no. 30. All other seats were captured by the BJP

Source: Times of india

45% polling in diamond city

Diamond city, which has the dubious distinction of recording low voter turnouts, has once again lived up to its reputation on Sunday in the elections to Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). When the 2,525 EVMS were locked at 5 pm, approximately 40 to 45 per cent of the total 24.2 lakh voters had exercised their right to franchise. The final figures are likely to be known by Sunday night.

District collectorate sources said that by 3 pm an average of 30 to 32 per cent votes were cast in the city. "There is a trend of rush in the final two hours and this happened on Sunday too. Our reports from various areas in the city suggest that we will record about 40 to 45 per cent voting in this election," they said.

Women especially came out to vote after 3 pm when the heat had subsided. At many places long queues were witnessed in the last couple of hours.

A political party worker said, "We were a bit worried looking at the low turnout in the morning session. However, the afternoon rush may take the city average to about 40 per cent."

Some wards in the city like Dumbhal, Rander and Pandesara witnessed more than average voting. In wall city area, wards and Athwa and Icchanath, the voting percentage may well be below the city average, sources said.

Surat had recorded 39.73 per cent turnout in 2005 civic elections. Before that in Lok Sabha elections, the city had even recorded as low as 33 per cent voting. However, these elections were won by BJP with a thumping margin. The BJP has 102 corporators at present in the 114-member corporation.

Source: Times of india