Candidate in tears after getting one vote

Candidate in tears after getting one vote

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Surat:22.12.2021

Santosh Halpati, candidate of ward 5 in Chharwada village in Vapi taluka of Valsad district was in tears on Tuesday as results of the village panchayat polls were announced. Halpati got only one vote, most probably his own, despite having 12 members from his family as voters in the same ward.

“I live with my wife and son. My uncle’s family also lives in the same area, but I got only one vote,” a teary-eyed Halpati told media persons.

“My wife did vote, but I am not sure she voted for me. People are independent to vote for the candidate of their choice in a democracy,” he added.

Meanwhile, in Nagoi village of Olpad taluka in Surat district, Geeta Patel won the sarpanch election by eight votes against Karishma Patel. The results came as a surprise for many as Nagoi is the village of Mukesh Patel, minister of state for agriculture, energy and petrochemicals. The sarpanch candidate supported by the minister lost.

“My mother Geetaben won against Karishmaben who had the support of minister Mukesh Patel. It is not about any political party, but one man’s rule cannot be allowed in the village,” Geeta’s son Hemal Patel told TOI. Hemal too won from ward 3 of Nagoi village by 35 votes. Hemal is a leader of Khedut Samaj Gujarat.

“I went to (minister) Mukeshbhai earlier to seek his support, but he refused and supported Karishmaben,” Hemal added.