In an apparent bid to woo the sizeable number of Muslim votes, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated eight candidates from the community for the October 3 election to Okha municipality in Devbhumi Dwarka district. This is two more than the previous election in 2016.
Election to 36 seats of the Okha municipality is due to be held on October 3 and counting on October 5. Total 85 candidates are in the fray. Besides the BJP and its main rival Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also contesting from a majority of seats. “We have tried to give fair representation to all communities. Hence the number of tickets given to Muslims is higher,” said Pradip Khimani, convener of the municipalities cell of Gujarat BJP.