SMC Poll Heat: Residents Confront BJP Leaders Over Waterlogging, Roads

Surat | Gujarat — The Surat Municipal Corporation election campaign has taken a dramatic turn as angry residents confronted BJP leaders across multiple wards, highlighting mounting public frustration over basic civic issues. Scenes of heated arguments, protests and campaign visits cut short have emerged from several areas, signalling a shift in voter mood in what was once considered a stronghold.

Ward 28: Clash over waterlogging in Udhana

The most dramatic incident unfolded in Ward 28 of Surat’s Udhana area when BJP candidates Vinod Patel and Sharad Patel visited a residential society for campaigning. Locals recorded videos showing roads flooded with drainage-mixed water and openly questioned the leaders about the situation.

“Ask those who come seeking votes after five years how we live in this dirty water,” a resident shouted in the viral video. Tensions escalated quickly as BJP workers and locals engaged in a heated argument, which reportedly led to a scuffle. Residents alleged a local was assaulted and said they would approach police with a complaint.

Ward 24: Women demand ‘account of 30 years’

In another incident, women in Kailasnagar Society surrounded former corporator Somnath Marathe and MLA Manu Patel during their campaign visit in Ward 24. Before the leaders could speak about development, residents demanded accountability.

“If work had been done in the last 30 years, this day would not have come,” one woman said, summing up the mood. Residents of Haridham and Kailasnagar stressed they did not want free services but basic necessities such as clean water and better roads.

Locals accused leaders of appearing only during elections and remaining inaccessible the rest of the time.

Ward 7: Leaders forced to leave amid road protests

In Katargam’s Ward 7, BJP candidate Raghu Khunt faced protests for the second consecutive day. Residents questioned poor road conditions and alleged that repeated complaints had gone unanswered.

“You saw the road you came from. Why are you running away now?” a resident was heard saying as the leaders left the society amid protests.

Growing voter frustration visible

The series of confrontations suggests growing public anger over civic issues such as waterlogging, infrastructure and accessibility of elected representatives. With videos of the incidents going viral, the campaign in Surat has entered a tense phase, with civic issues taking centre stage ahead of polling.