BJP fails to bag Patel votes in Jamnagar

Votes from even BJP bastions and Patel-dominated areas did not come to the rescue of BJP's Chandresh Patel in the Jamnagar parliamentary constituency in the elections.

The sitting MP was defeated by the new entrant of Congress, Vikram Madam, by 5,593 votes.

Madam captured lead over Patel in five assembly segments of the constituency.

These include Jamnagar and Khambhalia segments which are currently represented by BJP MLAs in the state assembly. Only Kalavad assembly segment gave a lead of 17,023 votes to Patel. Jodia, a Patel-dominated segment, gave Patel a lead of just 3,174 votes.

Jamnagar city, a strong hold of BJP, did not give any dividend to its candidate. Despite having the municipal corporation under the BJP, Madam got a lead of 2897 votes.

In Jamnagar (SC) assembly segment, Madam got 4,790 votes' lead over the BJP, Bhanvad gave Madam a lead of 3,079, Khambhalia 4,484 and Dwarka 10,560.

BJP was expecting lead from Kalavad, Jamnagar city, Jodia and Dwarka, but except Kalavad, no other Patel-dominated segments gave any support to the Patel candidate. Bhanvad, Khambhalia and Dwarka segments paved the way for Madam's victory.

BJP sources said Patel-dominated segments such as Jamnagar city did not provide the expected support to the party candidate.