Election 2014: AAP loses Bhavnagar, fight against nuclear plant gets tougher

With Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Kanubhai Kalasaria losing from Bhavnagar constituency of Gujarat, the party’s efforts to oppose the 6,000 MW Mithi Virdi Nuclear Power Project in Bhavnagar district have taken a hit. Kalasaria lost to Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) candidate Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shiyal. 

Mithi Virdi Nuclear Power Project, proposed by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in Mithi Virdi village of Bhavnagar district, has been facing stiff opposition from local community and environmental activists, including Kalasaria. Kalasaria lost to BJP which despite being in power in Gujarat maintained silence over the issue and said that it was the Centre’s project. Also, the manifesto of BJP clearly states that it wants to maximise the potential of nuclear energy in the country.

“We may be getting a different government at the Centre, but our fight against the nuclear project will continue,” said Anirudhbhai, representative of AAP in Gujarat. Kalasaria was unavailable for comments.