Gujarat local body polls 2026: BJP surges in early trends, AAP opens account as counting continues

Ahmedabad: The counting of votes for Gujarat’s crucial local body elections is underway, with the ruling BJP taking an early lead across several municipal corporations and municipalities, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has opened its account in select panchayat seats. The outcome is being closely watched as a political indicator ahead of next year’s Gujarat Assembly elections.

Polling was held across more than 9,200 seats covering 15 municipal corporations, 84 municipalities, 34 district panchayats and 260 Taluk panchayats, with over 4.18 crore voters eligible to cast their ballots.

BJP gains early momentum

Early counting trends showed the BJP making strong gains in several urban centres and municipalities. The party registered early wins in Vapi Municipal Corporation, where it won all four seats in Ward No. 9, and also surged ahead in parts of Rajkot, Surat, Mehsana, Valsad, Palanpur and Una.

Even before counting began, the BJP had already secured around 730 seats uncontested.

AAP opens account

The Aam Aadmi Party, seeking to expand its footprint in Gujarat after earlier gains in Surat, opened its tally with victories in Lalpur Taluk Panchayat in Gir Somnath and Maliya Hati Taluk Panchayat in Junagadh. It was also reported leading in a ward of Surat Municipal Corporation in early trends.

Congress eyes comeback

Congress was looking to improve its presence in municipalities and rural bodies. Early trends showed the party opening its account in Dahod Municipality, where the BJP was also leading on multiple seats.

Why these polls matter

The local body elections are the first major electoral exercise in Gujarat after the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and revised OBC reservation norms in civic bodies. Political observers see the results as a semi-final before the 2027 Assembly elections.

Voter turnout remained lower in urban areas than rural Gujarat. Municipal corporations recorded around 55.1% turnout, while taluka panchayats crossed 67%, reflecting stronger rural participation.

Final results are expected later in the day as counting continues across centres under tight security.

Nine newly-created municipal corporations, including Navsari, Gandhidham, Morbi, Vapi, Anand, Nadiad, Mehsana, Porbandar and Surendranagar, voted for the first time.

The ruling BJP, the opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are the key players. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) contested multiple seats.

Notable candidates include former Gujarat-cadre IPS officer M L Ninama, ex-radio jockey Abha Desai, and former AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani.

In a first for AAP, the Kejriwal-led party contested around 5,000 seats in local polls.

Other contestants include the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Independents.

In March 2021, the BJP scored a landslide win in the local polls in Gujarat, winning 6,236 out of 8,470 seats across various municipalities and establishing a wide gap with the rival Congress.

The BJP had then dominated all six municipal corporations, 81 municipalities, 32 district panchayats, and 231 taluka panchayats.