In the Election of the Year, Gujarat saw the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party find support, and face tough competition from fresh faces. Debutant candidates who represented the BJP, Congress, or fought independently, put up an impressive fight. Ahmedabad saw a total of seven new candidates hitting bulls eye for BJP and Congress. First time candidate and former CM Anandiben Patel confidant, Bhupendra Patel won by a huge margin of 1,17,750 votes in Ghatlodia, defeating Congress' Shashikant Patel.
Congress newbie Lakha Bharwad defeated BJP's Tejashri Patel in Viramgam, with a margin of 4548 votes. Kanubhai Makwana of BJP won with 7721 votes in Sanand. Asarwa's Pradip Parmar won by a whopping 49,264 votes. The gamble was more fruitful for Congress, with 35 new faces making an entry, as compared to the BJP where 23 first-time candidates won. Congress candidate Pradumansinh Jadeja claimed Abdasa, while BJP's Maltiben Maheswari won in Gandhidham. Rajesh Gohil of Dhandhuka put an impressive show with 5920 votes. Banaskantha district voted for two first-time candidates – Nathabhai Patel and Shivabhai Bhuriya.
The biggest victory came for independent candidate and Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani, who jumped into the equation after finding popularity in his community. Mewani is unquestionably the face of Dalits, and had questioned the flogging of seven Dalit youths in Una last year. He created waves in Vadgam, winning with 19,697 votes. Similarly, OBC community's Alpesh Thakor who joined hands with Rahul Gandhi, won Radhanpur constituency with 14,857 votes. He is popular amongst the people for his work to get rid of liquor addiction problems in his caste group.
One of the main centres for Patel reservation agitation, Mehsana saw several first time candidates, like BJP's Karshanbhai Solanki from Kadi and Ramanbhai Patel from Vijapur. Dahegam voted for Balrajsinh Chauhan and Prantij for Gajendrasinh Parmar, both from the BJP.
