Morbi: BJP's Kantilal Amrutiya looks set to win even after tragic incident of bridge collapse

BJP's Kantilal Amrutiya looks set to win the Morbi assembly seat in Gujarat of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, where 135 people lost lives in a tragic bridge collapse incident just a month ago. Kantilal has taken an unassailable lead of over 50,000 votes over Congress rival Jaynatilal Patel.

Morbi assembly constituency, which is part of Kachchh Lok Sabha constituency, was in the limelight because of the tragic bridge collapse of October 30 which killed 135 people.

The seat is currently held by the BJP, but the party has not given the ticket to sitting MLA Brijesh Merja, who won the seat first in 2017 as a Congress candidate and later, after switching parties, on a BJP ticket in a byelection in 2020.


Instead, the BJP has given the ticket to Kantilal Amrutiya, a five-time former BJP MLA who was almost forgotten in political circles after he lost to Brijesh Merja in 2020. And that is because of something brave he did.

When the suspension bridge over the river Machchhu collapsed, Amrutiya was seen in videos jumping into the water to rescue the victims. Along with his popularity among the masses, it was this brave act which helped him get the ticket.

The five-time MLA has the task of retaining the seat for the BJP amid all the allegations of negligence against the authorities.

Amrutiya had won from the Morbi seat in 1995, 1998, 2002, 2007 and 2012, but lost in 2017.

The Congress this time has given the ticket to Jayanti Jerajbhai Patel, while the Aam Aadmi Party has given the ticket to Pankaj Ransariya.

The Morbi assembly constituency comprises the following segments: a) Maliya-Miyana Taluka b) Morbi Taluka (Part) Villages – Sokhda, Bahadurgadh, Nava Nagdavas, Piludi, Rapar, Aniyari, Jetpar, Vaghpar, Juna Nagdavas, Gungan, Gala, Sapar, Jasmatgadh, Chakampar, Zinkiyali, Jivapar Chakampar, Kerala, Haripar, Nava Sadulka, Ravapar Nadi, Juna Sadulka, Bela Rangpar, Rangpar, Sanala (Talaviya), Timbdi, Dharampur, Amreli, Mahendranagar, Madhapar, Bhadiyad, Morbi (M), Trajpar

Polling in Morbi will be held on December 1. Gujarat votes in two phases on December 1 and 5. Votes will be counted on December 8.