The upcoming by-election in Gujarat’s Manjalpur Assembly constituency has once again highlighted an unusual trend in the state’s political history. Official records show that since Gujarat held its first Assembly election in 1962, the Legislative Assembly has spent more than two-thirds of its existence without its full sanctioned strength of MLAs.
The latest vacancy was created after the death of eight-time BJP MLA Yogesh Patel, whose passing led to the bypoll scheduled for July 30. His death is also part of a long-standing pattern that has continued throughout Gujarat’s legislative history.
Assembly Has Rarely Operated at Full Strength
Since the first Gujarat Assembly election in 1962, the state legislature has functioned below its sanctioned strength for a significant portion of its existence.
Official records reveal that out of 23,536 days since the first Assembly was formed, the House remained below its full strength for 15,634 days, which is 66.5% of the time. This means the Assembly has operated at its complete strength for only 7,881 days.
The primary reason has been vacancies created after the deaths of sitting MLAs. These seats usually remain vacant until a by-election is conducted or until the next general Assembly election if polls are due shortly.
58 Sitting MLAs Have Died While in Office
Data compiled from official records shows that 58 sitting MLAs have died while serving in office across Gujarat’s 15 Legislative Assemblies since the state was formed in 1960 and held its first Assembly elections in 1962.
Each of these deaths resulted in either a by-election or the seat remaining vacant until the next Assembly election.
The trend has continued in the 15th Gujarat Legislative Assembly, where three sitting legislators have passed away during the current term:
Karshanbhai Patel
Govind Parmar
Yogesh Patel
By-elections have already been conducted for two of these constituencies, while polling for Manjalpur is scheduled for July 30.
Strength of the Gujarat Assembly Changed Over Time
When Gujarat’s first Legislative Assembly was constituted in 1962, it had 157 members.
After the 1967 Assembly elections, the House strength was increased to 168 seats.
Following the 1975 Assembly, the strength was further increased to 182 seats, where it has remained ever since.
Which Assembly Saw the Most Deaths?
Among all the Legislative Assemblies in Gujarat’s history, the Eighth Assembly recorded the highest number of deaths of sitting MLAs.
During its tenure, nine legislators passed away while serving in office.
In contrast, both the First Assembly and the Fourth Assembly witnessed the death of only one sitting MLA each.
Three Former Chief Ministers Also Died While Serving as MLAs
The list of legislators who died while in office also includes three former Chief Ministers of Gujarat.
One of the most notable cases was Balwantrai Mehta, who was serving as an MLA when the aircraft he was travelling in was shot down by the Pakistani Air Force over Kachchh on September 19, 1965, during the Indo-Pak conflict.
Another former Chief Minister, Chimanbhai Patel, died of a cardiac arrest on February 17, 1994, while serving simultaneously as Gujarat’s Chief Minister and an MLA.
Former Chief Minister Amarsinh Chaudhary also passed away while representing the Khedbrahma Assembly constituency on August 15, 2004.
Experts Say the Pattern Is a Natural Phenomenon
Historian Rizwan Kadri believes the repeated deaths of sitting legislators should not be viewed as an unusual political development.
According to him, deaths while in office are a natural phenomenon that can occur in any profession or field. He also pointed out that many political leaders enter the Assembly at a relatively advanced age, which may explain why every Assembly term in Gujarat has witnessed the death of at least one sitting MLA.
Political commentator Ghanshyam Shah shares a similar view. He said the absence of a single Assembly term without the death of an incumbent MLA is not a political issue but a natural occurrence. He also believes that the same pattern is likely to be seen in Parliament and the legislative assemblies of other Indian states.
Manjalpur Bypoll Continues a Long Historical Trend
The Manjalpur by-election is more than just a routine electoral exercise. It reflects a pattern that has existed since the birth of Gujarat’s Legislative Assembly over six decades ago.
With 58 sitting MLAs having died in office, the Assembly has spent 66.5% of its history below its full sanctioned strength, making it rare for the House to function with all its seats filled. The upcoming bypoll will once again restore representation to a vacant constituency, continuing a process that has become a recurring part of Gujarat’s legislative history.
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