Potential Political Showdown in Surat: Husband vs. Wife in Upcoming Municipal Elections
Gujarat Confidential: Couple ‘Clash’?
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Dharmik Malaviya, former convenor of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, is considering running for the Surat Municipal Corporation elections on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, potentially facing his wife, Monali Hirpara, who currently holds the seat for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The decision on AAP's candidates is still pending.
- 01Dharmik Malaviya is interested in contesting the Surat Municipal Corporation elections on a BJP ticket.
- 02His wife, Monali Hirpara, currently represents the Aam Aadmi Party in the same constituency.
- 03Malaviya previously lost to a BJP candidate in the 2022 Assembly elections.
- 04He joined the BJP in 2024 after previously being part of the AAP.
- 05AAP has yet to decide on whether to field former corporators in the upcoming elections.
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Dharmik Malaviya, the former convenor of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), is contemplating a run for the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) elections on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from the Mota Varachha seat. This seat is currently held by his wife, Monali Hirpara, who represents the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Malaviya had previously contested as an AAP candidate in the 2022 Assembly elections but lost to a BJP candidate. He, along with another PAAS leader, Alpesh Kathiriya, joined the BJP in 2024. The AAP's state general secretary, Manoj Sorathiya, mentioned that the party has not yet made a decision regarding the candidacy of former corporators, leaving open the possibility of a unique electoral contest between the couple.
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The election could significantly influence local governance in Surat, especially if a husband and wife compete against each other.
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