The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate from Gujarat’s Surat, Mukesh Dalal, won the Lok Sabha elections unopposed after the nomination paper of Congress’ pick was rejected and other candidates withdrew from the race.
Following his unopposed win, Dalal said, “Today I have been declared winner, so the first lotus has bloomed in Gujarat and in the country.” He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief JP Nadda, state CM Bhupendra Patel and state unit chief CR Paatil for the faith they showed in him.