Lok Sabha Elections 2024: This is how BJP pulled off a miraculous uncontested win in Gujarat's Surat

BJP's Mukeshkumar Chandrakant Dalal also received the winning certificate on Monday, almost two weeks before the scheduled date for polling (May 7).

As many as 15 candidates had filed nominations from the seat. 8 of 15 candidates including the Independents withdrew their nominations.

The candidates who withdrew their nominations also included two Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidates, a second BJP candidate in the name of Kachhadiya Janakkumar.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) rejected the remaining six nominations including two from Congress and their replacement candidate, paving the way for Dalal to emerge as the winner, citing technical reasons.

The filing of nominations for the upcoming polls went on from April 15 to 19. The last date for withdrawal of nominations was April 22.

Reportedly, this is the first time since 1989, a Lok Sabha candidate in India won unopposed.

In 1989, National Conference candidate Mohammad Shafi Bhat had won from the Srinagar seat unopposed.

While Congress so far has won unopposed on 22 occasions since 1977, this is the first time for the BJP, which is seeking its third straight term, to win an election in this manner.

Gujarat, which has 26 Lok Sabha seats, will go to polls in a single phase on May 7.