Couples team up on poll pitch in Godhra civic battle

Vadodara: From sharing a home to sharing the political stage, three couples in Godhra have entered the fray in the upcoming municipal elections, each pairing experience with strategy to boost their chances of victory.In Ward 5, four-term councillor Bharti Patel is contesting as an independent after being denied a BJP ticket. This time, she is joined by her husband, Satish Patel, who is also contesting from the same ward. Satish, a former municipality employee, said the decision was influenced by local support. "People from our ward and community wanted us to contest. They insisted that I should also file my nomination," he said, adding that Bharti was denied a ticket due to the party's age criteria.In Ward 9, Yakub Bakar and his wife Sharifa are contesting together. Yakub has been fighting elections as an independent since 2005 and has won twice. He said that with their family responsibilities now reduced, both could focus on public service. "We are grandparents now. Others can take care of the home. We want to work for people," he said, adding that his wife's entry into politics was also a step towards empowering women within the family.Sharifa expressed confidence in their joint campaign. "I understand the responsibilities of a councillor and am ready to take them on. There is no hesitation," she said.Another couple in the race is Ashraf Chanda and his wife Raziya from Ward 8. Ashraf has contested three consecutive polls since 2010 and won in 2015. He said his wife has long been involved in community work. "Whenever I was away, she would handle people's issues, even accompanying them to hospitals in emergencies," he said.Sources indicate that beyond shared commitment, strategy also plays a role. Contesting as a couple increases the chances of at least one victory, and if both win, it could strengthen their influence in the civic body. In a closely contested election, independent winners could also become crucial in govt formation, further boosting their bargaining power.