On April 19, Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially submitted his nomination from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat, a constituency with a significant political legacy. Shah, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, spoke of his deep ties to the region, highlighting his 30-year journey from a booth worker to a Member of Parliament. He emphasized the pride he felt representing a seat previously held by stalwarts like LK Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as well as being a constituency where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a voter.
In his address after filing the nomination, Shah underlined the overwhelming support he has received from the people of Gandhinagar, citing the completion of development projects amounting to Rs 22,000 crore in the region during the last five years. Seeking re-election for a second term, Shah faces competition from Congress party secretary Sonal Patel, who filed her nomination earlier. The Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, comprising seven assembly segments, has historically been a stronghold for the BJP, a trend expected to continue in the upcoming elections.
During the 2019 elections, Shah secured victory in Gandhinagar with a remarkable vote share of 69.67 percent, defeating his Congress rival by over 5 lakh votes. The constituency, symbolizing a BJP bastion, has consistently been represented by party veterans like LK Advani, showcasing its enduring significance in Gujarat's political landscape. As the state gears up for the pivotal third phase of elections on May 7, all eyes are on the outcome in Gandhinagar and the overall electoral dynamics in the region.