Congress won the election for the post of President of Dahod district panchayat which was held today amid tight security arrangements as ordered by the Gujarat High Court.
District Collector M A Gandhi, the Presiding Officer, declared Congress member Remailaben Bhuria as the winner. She defeated Anilaben Hatila of BJP.
The election to the post of President had been postponed two times earlier due to opposition of BJP members and subsequent violence in which three vehicles were burnt.
The Congress had won 26 seats in the panchayat, while BJP bagged 24 in the polling held last month.
The HC yesterday directed the Government to provide adequate police protection to the 26 Congress members and also security at the election venue (District panchayat office).
The direction was given on a petition filed by the newly-elected Congress members, who apprehended disturbance during the voting for the top post.
The election was first scheduled on December 22 and then deferred till the next day after BJP members created ruckus at the venue. Congress had alleged BJP supporters torched vehicles of its representatives.
"BJP's attempt to snatch Dahod district panchayat has failed today as our members stayed united," State Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki said.
With this win, the number of district panchayats ruled by Congress in Gujarat has gone up to 23.
Election to 31 district panchayats was held on November 29 and counting took place on December 2. BJP rules the remaining eight district panchayats.
