NEW DELHI: The dates for the Gujarat polls will be announced at the press meet to be convened Thursday noon. The dates were expected to be announced along with the announcement of polls in Himachal Pradesh, but did not happen. The tenure of the Gujarat Government will end on February 18 in 2023. In the 182-member cabinet, the BJP has 111 MLAs and the congress has 62 MLAs.
Though it is believed that the BJP will continue to rule, it is reported that The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is raising a strong challenge. The party is making preparations to establish a foothold in Gujarat. It is clear that this is aimed at party leader Arvind Kejriwal's statements, including the demand for images of Hindu gods on currency notes. If they were in power only in Delhi earlier, they were able to assume power in Punjab as well in the last election, which has boosted their confidence.
The collapse of the bridge in Morbi has been a setback for the BJP. It is already clear that the opposition, including the Congress, will use it as a political weapon in the elections. The party leadership is thinking how to save from it. Even if it is a minor victory than last time, it will be a great setback for the BJP and the centre.