In Historic First, Independent Hindu Candidate Wins Godhra Ward With 100% Muslim Population

Apekshaben Naineshbhai Soni, an independent Hindu woman candidate, achieved a resounding victory from Ward No. 7, where 100% of the population belongs to the Muslim community.

Apekshaben Naineshbhai Soni, an independent Hindu woman candidate. (Photo: X)

Against the backdrop of typical electoral acrimony, a result from today’s Gujarat local body elections stood out, sending a strong message of communal harmony and inclusive politics. Apekshaben Naineshbhai Soni, an independent Hindu woman candidate, clinched victory from Ward Number 7, where 100% of the population belongs to the Muslim community.

According to a report by NDTV, Apekshaben Soni’s victory marked a historic first in the Godhra municipality elections, as she managed to earn the trust of local residents despite not even being a registered voter in Ward No. 7. Her victory challenged traditional voting patterns, where the public chose to move beyond religious or caste-based factors.

For an area that has seen intense communal strife, the victory of a Hindu candidate in a fully Muslim-majority ward is a stark display of a choice that prioritised merit and local trust over communal divisions. Political observers say this “Godhra Model of voting” is a shift towards social cohesion and may influence future elections.

BJP Dominates Gujarat Local Body Polls

Meanwhile, the BJP has secured a historic victory in the Gujarat local body elections, winning all 15 municipal corporations. The party has crossed the 50% mark in each corporation.

According to the latest figures released by the State Election Commission (SEC), the ruling party secured a majority of seats in municipal corporations including Surendranagar, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Karamsad-Anand, Nadiad, Navsari, Vapi, Surat and Morbi.

In Ahmedabad, the BJP secured 146 out of 192 seats, while the Congress managed only 18. The party also secured 65 seats each in Rajkot and Vadodara. The polls, considered one of the largest electoral exercises in the state ahead of the assembly elections due next year, covered nearly 9,200 seats with more than 4.18 crore eligible voters.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s efforts to strengthen its grassroots base in Gujarat ahead of the 2027 assembly elections paid off with the Arvind Kejriwal-led outfit winning a district panchayat – Narmada – and 12 taluka panchayats on Tuesday for the first time.

Read More