BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal has been elected unopposed from the Surat Lok Sabha seat after Congress candidate Nilesh Kumbhani’s nomination papers were rejected. Dalal received his certificate from the District Election Officer on April 22, 2024.
On the final day for withdrawing nominations, eight candidates, including Pyarelal Bharti of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), withdrew their papers, leaving Dalal as the only candidate.
Kumbhani’s nomination was rejected following an affidavit from his three proposers, stating they had not signed his nomination form. This incident led to Dalal’s unopposed election.
BJP leaders congratulated Dalal on social media, with State BJP president C.R. Paatil celebrating the win as Surat presented the first lotus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also congratulated Dalal.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the BJP of “match-fixing” the Surat Lok Sabha polls, which the party has consistently won since the 1984 elections.
Congress and AAP are contesting the elections in Gujarat as an alliance. Congress is contesting 24 out of 26 seats, while AAP is running in Bhavnagar and Bharuch.
