For first phase of Gujarat polls, both BJP and Congress play caste cards

Despite fielding more Patidars than Congress, BJP may find it tough this time given the aggressive placing of candidates by the former

On the last date of filing nominations on Tuesday for upcoming polls in Gujarat, both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress heavily played the caste card for their respective first phase list.

Relenting to the rigorous negotiations with the Patidar community, led by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), Congress finally ended up fielding 22 candidates from the community, while BJP gave tickets to 27 Patidar candidates.

The two-phased polls in Gujarat will be held for 89 seats in the Saurashtra-Kutch and South Gujarat regions on December 9 and 93 seats in Central and North Gujarat regions on 14, respectively. Counting for Gujarat