BJP's Mukesh Dalal wins Surat Lok Sabha seat unopposed

BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal clinches Surat Lok Sabha seat unopposed, as confirmed by election officials in Gujarat. Following the withdrawal of nominations by all other contenders, Dalal emerged victorious without contest, marking a significant development in the electoral landscape of the region.

The culmination of the electoral process in Surat came after the nominations of two Congress candidates were canceled on Sunday, and subsequent withdrawal of eight other candidates on Monday. Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil expressed jubilation, stating, "Surat has offered the first lotus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congratulations to Surat Lok Sabha candidate Mukeshbhai Dalal for being elected unopposed."

However, the Congress party faced setbacks as its candidates Nilesh Kumbhani and Suresh Padsala saw their nomination forms rejected due to discrepancies in the signatures of the proposers. Gujarat Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil alleged foul play, suggesting that the BJP orchestrated the rejection to suppress opposition. With Dalal's unopposed victory, Surat gears up for a pivotal role in the upcoming elections, slated for May 7.