The BJP's winning streak in this constituency assumes importance because, since 1975 whichever party has won the Valsad seat went on to form the government in the state and therefore since 1975, Valsad has been proving to be a bellwether constituency. Thereafter, in 1980 when Congress candidate Dolatbhai Nathubhai Desai won the Valsad seat, the party returned to power in the state. But in 1985, when Dolatbhai Desai himself fought independently against Congress candidate Barjori Covasji Pardiwala, he lost the election. The Congress party won the election for the consecutive term in the state. In 2012 assembly elections, another BJP candidate Bharatbhai Patel won the Valsad seat and BJP continued to rule Gujarat.

Source: India Today December 18, 2017 16:18 UTC