Gujarat local body election: Hindu woman scripts victory in Muslim-majority Godhra ward

AHMEDABAD: Defying odds in a communally sensitive pocket of Godhra — Ground Zero of the 2002 Gujarat violence — an independent candidate, Apexa Soni, scripted an unlikely victory from Ward 7, where Hindu votes are negligible, underscoring a rare show of social harmony and grassroots support.The ward comprises Satpul, Hayatni Wadi, Vachla Odha, Chuchla Plot, Geni Plot and other localities. It is less than a kilometre away from Godhra railway station and Signal Falia, two sites closely linked to the Sabarmati Express burning, which triggered the riots.After narrowly losing the 2021 election by around 100 votes, Apexa was hesitant to contest again. However, residents — largely from the Muslim community — urged her to re-enter the fray, assuring their full backing.A resident of Ward 7, where her husband Nainesh Soni runs a jewellery shop, Apexa had built her connect by actively addressing local civic issues and assisting residents. Even after herdefeat, she continued her work, often spending from her own pocket to address sanitation and other minor concerns.Following a ward delimitation exercise last year, she had decided against contesting, but was persuaded by locals and community leaders to give it another try. Their faith paid off as she emerged victorious on Tuesday.Calling the result a reflection of unity, Apexa said voters treated her “like a sister or daughter” and stood firmly behind her. Local councillor Sajid Kala credited her consistent work for the win, noting that the ward has barely two dozen Hindu voters.District Congress vice president Rafiq Tijoriwala described her victory as an example of people rising above divisions to support a candidate committed to public service.