Geniben Thakor's victory in Banaskantha, Gujarat, marks a significant milestone for the Congress party, as it secures its first Lok Sabha seat in the state in a decade. Despite facing financial constraints, Thakor embarked on her debut Lok Sabha campaign, relying on crowdfunding for support after not receiving financial backing from the Congress.
In a closely contested election, Thakor defeated the BJP's Rekha Chaudhari by a margin of 30,406 votes. Chaudhari, an engineering professor and the granddaughter of Banas Dairy's founder, had previously held the seat for the BJP, making Thakor's victory even more noteworthy.
Thakor's win is particularly remarkable given Gujarat's historical allegiance to the BJP, which had secured all 26 seats in both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Her grassroots approach and humble demeanor resonated with voters, earning her widespread support in the constituency.
Having started her political journey as a grassroots worker, Thakor contested her first electoral battle in 2012 during the Gujarat Assembly elections, albeit unsuccessfully. However, she persisted and achieved success in subsequent elections, notably defeating a BJP stalwart in 2017 to secure victory in the Vav constituency.
Thakor's ascent to the Lok Sabha represents not only a personal triumph but also a symbolic victory for the Congress party in Gujarat, challenging the BJP's dominance in the region. Her grassroots appeal and dedication to public service have undoubtedly contributed to her electoral success and position as the first Congress MP from Gujarat in a decade.
