Congress Wins Big in Gujarat's Rajkot as Demolition Drive Backfires on Ruling BJP

RAJKOT: The results of the local body elections in Gujarat have shown a reversal at some places. In Ward No. 16 (Jangleshwar) of Rajkot Municipal Corporation, the Congress has shocked everyone. The Congress has captured all the four seats of the ward. The ruling BJP has suffered a setback in this area. It is being said that the demolition drive against encroachments has benefited from the public resentment. The four Congress candidates Arjun Chauhan, Ibrahim Sora, Diptiben Solanki and Rasilaben Garaiya, who won their seats in the Jangleshwar ward हैं.बुलडोजर factor, the local public and analysts say that the massive demolition drive carried out in February 2026 is the main reason for the defeat of the BJP here. With the help of more than 2500 policemen, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation demolished about 1400 illegal houses and structures along the Aji river bank and TP Road. The drive led to the eviction of about 87 thousand square meters of land. It cost the voters more than 300 crores. However, thousands of residents were displaced by the urban planning campaign on the banks of the Aji river due to the necessary voting on the Jangleshwar river.