Geniben Thakor, hailed as a 'giant slayer' for securing Congress's first Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat in a decade, ran a challenging campaign. Despite financial constraints and a lack of monetary support from her party, Thakor successfully crowdfunded her campaign to secure her debut in the Lok Sabha. Thakor defeated BJP's Rekha Chaudhari by 30,406 votes in Banaskantha, marking Congress's first victory in Gujarat's Lok Sabha elections in ten years. Chaudhari, an engineering professor and granddaughter of Banas Dairy founder Galbabhai Chaudhary, could not maintain the BJP's hold on the seat, which it had won in both 2014 and 2019.
Thakor's rise in Gujarat politics
Thakor's victory is significant as Gujarat has been a stronghold for the BJP, which swept all 26 seats in the state during the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Geniben Thakor, known for her humble and approachable demeanor, joined Congress as a grassroots worker and made her electoral debut in the 2012 Gujarat Assembly elections from the Vav constituency, albeit unsuccessfully.
Overcoming adversity
In the 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections, Thakor made headlines by defeating BJP strongman and Banas Dairy chairperson Shakar Chaudhary in Vav, a feat she repeated in the subsequent assembly elections. Her relentless campaigning, often rushing from rally to rally dressed in a saree, paid off, as she broke the BJP's decade-long dominance in Gujarat on counting day.
A triumph against the odds
At 48, Thakor's journey from a grassroots worker to a Lok Sabha MP underscored her determination and resilience. Her victory in Banaskantha, amidst a series of losses for other senior Congress leaders in Gujarat, highlights her exceptional electoral strategy and connection with the electorate.
A new dawn for Congress in Gujarat
Geniben Thakor's victory is not just a personal triumph but a significant milestone for Congress in Gujarat. Her success in overcoming financial and political odds to secure a Lok Sabha seat reflects the potential for a shift in the state's political landscape.
Also read | Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: BJP's vote share in Gujarat dips by 1.25 per cent compared to 2019 polls
