Lok Sabha Election Dates 2024: Gujarat to vote on May 7 in single phase, counting on June 4

A file photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat are scheduled to occur in a single phase on May 7, with vote counting slated for June 4. Key issues such as unemployment, inflation, education, and healthcare facilities are at the forefront of political parties' agendas.

The ruling BJP aims to retain all 26 Lok Sabha seats it secured in 2019. Gujarat is poised to play a key role in determining the outcome of the lower House elections. Notably, in both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the saffron party emerged victorious in all 26 seats in the state.

Gujarat holds significant political importance in the upcoming elections, being the home state of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Notably, Gujarat is widely regarded as the stronghold of the BJP. The saffron party reaffirmed its dominance in the state in 2019 by winning all 26 Lok Sabha seats for the second consecutive time. However, it is noteworthy that the BJP has made a strategic shift by dropping five sitting MPs in its second list of candidates. This decision comes after the party initially announced candidates for 15 Lok Sabha seats out of the total 26 in Gujarat.

The opposition parties, including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and other regional parties in Gujarat, will undoubtedly strive to reclaim their footing in the state. In both 2019 and 2014, the Grand Old Party faced significant setbacks as it failed to secure any seats in the state.

Gandhinagar is indeed a significant Lok Sabha seat to watch in the state. Historically, it has been a stronghold for the BJP, having been represented by stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani in the past. At present, it is represented by Shah, who secured a resounding victory in the 2019 polls, defeating the Congress candidate CJ Chavda by a substantial margin of 5.57 lakh votes.

Porbandar is another crucial Lok Sabha seat in the state, where the BJP has historically been the dominant force. This stronghold is attributed to the significant presence of Leuva Patidars, a sub-caste of the influential Patel community, which holds considerable sway in the region. The BJP has strategically fielded Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who belongs to the Leuva Patidar community, from this constituency.

More significantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charisma remains a significant factor for the ruling BJP in Gujarat. As a leader who hails from the state and served as its Chief Minister for over a decade, Modi continues to command immense respect and loyalty among the people of Gujarat.

The PM's enduring charisma and influence are often considered a trump card for the BJP in Gujarat, bolstering the party's prospects in both state and national elections.