With a record turnout of average 70.02% in second phase of Gujarat assembly elections, the fate of Chief Minister Narendra Modi along with 820 others were sealed on Monday in electronic voting machines (EVMs). The result of elections, where Modi is seeking third consecutive term as the chief minister, will be declared on December 20.
After a record turnout of 70.75% in phase one (87 seats) of Gujarat assembly elections, the trend continued in the final phase which recorded 70.02% polling on Monday for the 95 of total 182-seat state assembly.
The polling for the final phase remained peaceful mostly, except for a firing incident in Panchmahal which involved a sitting BJP MLA Jetha Bharwad, who and his personal security personnel have been detained by the police. Even the first phase held on December 13 was free of violence.
Modi was among the first to cast his vote in Ranip area of Ahmedabad, and said that he was confident of third term in office. "People of Gujarat will once again help the BJP gain victory. It will ensure hat trick for BJP," he said after casting his vote. "Looking at overwhelming support of the people of Gujarat, I am confident that we are heading for a hat-trick," he added.
When asked about his role in national politics, Modi further said: "I am happy in Gujarat. I am committed to the people of Gujarat. I believe, I am also serving the nation by serving Gujarat. Gujarat is not outside our country." Also, to cast votes in Ahmedabad were senior BJP leader LK Advani and Rajya Sabha MP from the state Arun Jaitley.
Also in fray are 18 ministers from the Modi cabinet which include six cabinet rank ministers. The close aides of Modi who are contesting elections include revenue minister Anandi Patel, urban development minister Nitin Patel, health minister Jaynarayan Vyas, social justice and empowerment minister Fakirbhai Vaghela and industries minister Saurabh Patel. Other BJP ministers in fray inlcude Vana Ahir from Anjar, Parbatsinh Patel (Tharad), Liladhar Vaghela (Deesa), Praful Patel (Himmatnagar), Ramanlal Vora (Ider), Jaysinh Chauhan (Prantij), Pradipsinh Jadeja (Vatva), Jaydrathsinh Parmar (Halol) and Jashwantsinh Bhabhor (Limkheda).
From the Congress former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela is contesting from Kapadvanj in Kheda district. An unusual entry into state politics this time is Jagruti Pandya, wife of slain BJP leader Haren Pandya. Jagruti is contesting on a GPP ticket from Ellibridge constituency which has been a BJP strong hold since last 15 years.
There were over 19.9 million eligible voters, out of which 70.02% voted to decide the fate of 820 candidates including the Gujarat Chief Minister whose Congress opponent is Shweta Bhatt, wife of suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt. There are 49 women candidates in fray on this phase as against 46 in the first phase.
The second phase of election is spread over 12 districts covering north, central and Kutch regions, with 10.3 million male and 9.5 million female voters. There were 23,318 polling booths installed across the 95 constituencies (six in Kutch, 27 in North Gujarat and 62 in Central Gujarat) with 7256 micro observers keeping a watch to ensure smooth polling.
The BJP has fielded candidates for all 95 seats, Congress candidates are contesting from 92 seats while it NCP is contesting on three seats as part of pre-poll alliance with Congress. The Keshubhai Patel headed Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) and BSP has fielded 84 each. There are 284 independent candidates while 181 candidates are from other parties.
In the entire exercise 1.6 lakh state government employees would engaged, state election commission said on Sunday. Local state police and central paramilitary forces have been deployed at all the polling booths. Additional security forces have been stations in sensitive areas identified by Election Commission.
