This time, Jaswant Bhabhor, the Randhikpur MLA was the BJP's saving grace in Dahod district. Bhabhor, who was the state forests and environment minister in the last term, was the only BJP MLA who could retain a seat for the party this time.

In 2002, three districts from the region, Vadodara, Panchmahals and Dahod had gone the BJP way. But in the wake of Dahod BJP MP Babu Katara's arrest in immigration scam, the tribal district changed its political affiliation. Of the six seats in Dahod district this time, the BJP could retain only one. In 2002, in spite of the substantial leads, six MLAs from Central Gujarat had only figured in Modi's ministry.

Bhupendra Lakhawala, C D Patel, Prabahtsinh Chauhan, Sundersinh Chauhan, Chhatrasinh Mori and Bhabhor were the one who figured in the ministerial list. Of these, C D Patel was denied a ticket by the party this time, while Prabhatsinh Chauhan lost the polls from Godhra, a prestigious constituency in the region, as did Mori from Jambusar constituency.

In 2002, the six ministers however, did not hold any important portfolios, having been awarded with a minister of state each. Also in 2002, of the 50 seats in the region, 42 went to the BJP, while it came down to just 21 seats this time.

Modi's frantic efforts with his Vanbandhu scheme to sway the tribal votes in the region in the run up to the assembly polls this time, notwithstanding, the ballot swung in favour of the Opposition Congress.