Upcoming By-elections in Gujarat: Kadi and Visavadar

The Gujarat Election Commission has officially scheduled the by-elections for the 24-Kadi and 87-Visavadar assembly constituencies on June 19, 2025, with counting of votes slated for June 23, 2025. This announcement follows the vacancy of these two crucial seats, triggering a closely watched electoral contest in districts Mehsana and Junagadh respectively. Political observers in Gujarat consider these by-polls a significant test for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as the Indian National Congress (INC), with implications for the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general assembly elections.

3 Key Facts About the Kadi and Visavadar By-elections

The by-elections were necessitated by two distinct events. The Kadi seat in Mehsana district became vacant after the unfortunate demise of sitting MLA Karshan Solanki in April 2025. Solanki was a prominent BJP leader whose tenure was marked by developmental initiatives in the constituency.

In Visavadar, Junagadh district, the seat was vacated following the resignation of Bhupat Bhayani, who stepped down from the Congress and joined the BJP in early May 2025. Bhayani’s defection has added a layer of political intrigue to the upcoming polls.

The Election Commission of Gujarat opened the nomination process on May 26, 2025, with the final date for filing nominations on June 2, 2025. Several candidates from BJP, INC, and smaller parties including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), along with independent contenders, have filed their papers. BJP has nominated Rajendra Chavda for Kadi and a yet-to-be-finalized candidate for Visavadar, while the Congress has fielded Ramesh Chavda for Kadi and another contender for Visavadar.

5 Reasons Why These By-elections Matter for Gujarat

1. Political Barometer: These by-elections serve as a litmus test for both BJP and INC’s grassroots strength in their traditional bastions of Mehsana and Junagadh districts.
2. Impact on Assembly Strength: Winning or losing these seats will affect the numerical strength of parties in the 182-member Gujarat Legislative Assembly, influencing legislative dynamics.
3. Voter Sentiment Indicator: The polls will reflect public opinion on the current state government’s performance, especially regarding local development and governance.
4. Defection and Party Loyalty: Bhupat Bhayani’s resignation and move to BJP highlight internal dynamics within Congress and potential shifts in party loyalty among leaders and voters.
5. Election Commission’s Role: The Gujarat Election Commission’s emphasis on transparency and voter participation underscores the democratic process’s integrity in these critical elections.

4 Background Points on Kadi and Visavadar Constituencies

Kadi Assembly Constituency is located in Mehsana district, a key region in North Gujarat known for agriculture and industrial growth. Historically, Kadi has been a BJP stronghold, with Karshan Solanki winning the seat in the 2022 assembly elections by a margin exceeding 15,000 votes.

Visavadar Assembly Constituency

The political narrative in these constituencies is shaped by local developmental issues such as irrigation projects, rural infrastructure, and employment opportunities, which remain key electoral issues.

Recent state government policies, including investments in agriculture under the ‘Krushi Mahotsav’ campaign and expansion of industrial corridors, are expected to influence voter preferences in these by-polls.

6 Important Numbers and Data Points to Know

• Total registered voters in Kadi constituency: approximately 2.1 lakh, according to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gujarat.
• Total registered voters in Visavadar constituency: around 1.8 lakh.
• Voter turnout in the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections for Kadi was 72.5%, while Visavadar saw a turnout of 69.8%.
• BJP’s vote share in Kadi during 2022 was 55%, with Congress holding 38%.
• In Visavadar, the 2022 vote share stood at 52% for Congress and 45% for BJP.
• Number of candidates filed in Kadi: 8 (including BJP, INC, AAP, independents).
• Number of candidates filed in Visavadar: 7, with a similar party mix.

4 Steps Ahead: What Voters and Candidates Should Expect

1. Voting Day: On June 19, 2025, polling stations across Kadi and Visavadar will open from 7 AM to 6 PM. Voters must carry valid ID and their voter slip to cast their ballots.
2. Monitoring and Security: The Election Commission is deploying over 500 security personnel across both constituencies to ensure peaceful voting.
3. Counting and Results: Vote counting will take place on June 23, 2025, at designated counting centers in Mehsana and Junagadh district headquarters. Results will be declared by the evening.
4. Access to Information: Voters can review candidate affidavits, background details, and other election-related information on the official Chief Electoral Officer Gujarat website.

These by-elections offer Gujarat’s electorate a direct opportunity to influence local governance and the balance of power in the state assembly. Eligible voters in Kadi and Visavadar are urged to participate actively to uphold democratic values. For further details on voter registration and polling locations, citizens can visit the CEO Gujarat portal or contact the district election offices in Mehsana and Junagadh.

For ongoing updates and detailed coverage, readers can also refer to recent articles such as Gujarat Prepares for By-Elections in 24-Kadi and 87-Visavadar Constituencies and Election Updates: By-elections for 24-Kadi and 87-Visavadar Constituencies in Gujarat.