State scan: BJP reaches out to farmers to reclaim ground in Gujarat

A look at the recent state Budget shows the ruling party is trying to correct past mistakes, including the earlier nonchalance towards the agrarian sector, especially in Saurashtra and south Gujarat

The recent civic body elections across 22 of the 33 districts in Gujarat were reminiscent of the assembly poll in December 2017.  In both elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won, but lost some ground. 

In the assembly election, the BJP won 99 of the 182 seats, down from the 115 it had secured in 2012. Likewise, in the civic poll, its tally plummeted from 59 to 44, of the total 75; the Congress raised its tally to 22, from six.

Voting for the 75 semi-urban municipalities took place on February 17. Simultaneous elections were held for two district panchayats,