The ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress on Monday fielded contrasting pitches after their candidates filed nominations for the July 30 bypoll to the Manjalpur Assembly constituency in Vadodara, with the Congress attacking the State government’s governance record and the BJP promising to carry forward the work of the late MLA Yogesh Patel.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of BJP MLA and former Gujarat Minister Yogesh Patel on June 2 after a prolonged illness.

Congress candidate Bhikhabhai Rabari, vice-president of the Gujarat Congress and a former State Minister, said the election would be fought on civic issues affecting the constituency and Vadodara city, including poor infrastructure, traffic congestion and alleged corruption.

“There are many issues. The problems affecting the entire city are also the issues of Manjalpur. Traffic, dirty drinking water, overflowing drainage and poor roads are some of the major concerns. The BJP has failed to address these issues,” Mr. Rabari told reporters after filing his nomination.

Alleging that the BJP government had failed to fulfil its promise of developing Vadodara as a smart city, Mr. Rabari claimed corruption had become rampant under its rule. He said he wanted to become the voice of the people and challenge what he described as “one-sided rule”.

Asked about his electoral prospects, Mr. Rabari said, “Victory or defeat will be decided by the electorate, but I am contesting to win.”

BJP nominee Satish Patel said his priority would be to complete the unfinished works of the late Yogesh Patel and carry forward his vision for the constituency.

“The incomplete works of Yogeshbhai will be completed. We will continue what Yogeshbhai started and also undertake new initiatives. We will fulfil the vision he had for Manjalpur,” Mr. Patel said.

Expressing confidence in the party’s prospects, Mr. Patel said the BJP enjoyed the support of both its workers and the electorate.

“This seat has always belonged to the Bharatiya Janata Party and will remain with the BJP. The people have decided that by voting in large numbers they will pay true tribute to late Yogeshbhai Patel,” he said.

The BJP announced Mr. Patel, a former Vadodara Municipal Corporation councillor and former president of the party’s Vadodara district unit, as its candidate on July 10, while the Congress named Mr. Rabari on July 12.

Polling for the by-election will be held on July 30, and the votes will be counted on August 3.

Published - July 14, 2026 04:50 am IST