Jamnagar, Apr 8 (IANS): In the political arena of Jamnagar, Gujarat, the battle for the Lok Sabha constituency has taken a captivating turn.

Poonamben Maadam, a seasoned politician in the BJP’s stronghold in the region, is once again in the spotlight.

Challenging the BJP in its bastion, the Congress has introduced a fresh face, JP Marvia, a young Patidar and an elected member of the Jamnagar District panchayat, signaling a strategic move to captivate the electorate with youthful energy.

Maadam commenced her political journey with the Congress and then shifted to the BJP. Since then she has been a formidable force in Jamnagar's political landscape.

Born in 1974, Maadam's political career has been marked by significant achievements, including her tenure as a member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly representing Khambhalia in Dwarka District.

Her transition from a state legislator to a parliamentarian was marked by her victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, where she contested from Jamnagar and defeated her uncle, Ahir Vikrambhai Arjanbhai Maadam of the Congress by 175,289 votes.

The 2019 Lok Sabha elections witnessed Maadam securing a commanding win with 591,588 votes, outpacing Kandoriya Mulubhai Ranmalbhai of the Congress, who garnered 354,784 votes, thus establishing a vast margin of 236,804 votes.

Jamnagar, a city on Gujarat's western coast, serves as an administrative hub and is a historical and economic powerhouse in the region.

Once the capital of the Nawanagar princely state during the British Raj, it now hosts the world's largest oil refining and petrochemicals complex, operated by Reliance Industries.

As the election battle in Jamnagar heats up, the contrast between the experienced Poonamben Maadam and the youthful JP Marvia sets the stage for a riveting contest.