Gandhinagar, Recent elections in Gujarat have been marred by allegations of intimidation and undemocratic tactics, with the BJP accused of pressuring opposition candidates to withdraw from the race.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a notable example from Surat, every candidate opposing the BJP’s Mukesh Dalal withdrew or was disqualified, leading to an uncontested victory. This unprecedented situation raised eyebrows, especially given the historical context where BJP has dominated the state’s political landscape since 1995.
In Gandhinagar, 16 opposition candidates dropped out before the polls, amid claims of threats and harassment by BJP workers and police. The allegations include direct threats to personal safety and family members, significantly undermining the democratic process.
This pattern of intimidation has sparked outrage and concern among various political parties and activists, calling for investigations and measures to ensure fair and free electoral processes in the state.