New Delhi, July 28 -- In June 2025, elections were scheduled in 4,564 Gram Panchayats across Gujarat. But in 761 villages, there was no voting at all. Instead, these panchayats were declared 'Samras' - a term used for villages that elect their Sarpanch and ward members by consensus, avoiding any formal polling process.

This model of 'harmonious panchayats' has been actively promoted since Narendra Modi's tenure as Gujarat's Chief Minister, with financial incentives encouraging communities to sidestep electoral competition. In July 2025, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel disbursed Rs 35 crore in additional grants to the 761 Samras Panchayats through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Raningpara chooses consensus - and rotation One such village ...