Ahmedabad: After a record turnout of over 70% in the first phase of the polls, thousands voted in Gujarat on Monday as the second and final phase of the Assembly Elections that sees BJP's Narendra Modi aiming for a hat-trick got under way in 95 of the state's 182 constituencies.
Voting began at 8 am in 23,318 polling stations. An electorate of 19.8 million is expected to exercise their franchise. About 21 percent polling across 95 constituencies till 11 am was recorded today.
Amidst tight security, Modi exercised his franchise at a school in Ranip. Huge crowd had gathered outside Nishan High School where Modi cast his vote. Clad in saffron kurta and surrounded by thousands of supporters, the charismatic Gujarat CM made a two-fingered 'V-sign' after coming out of the polling station. Modi's act irked Congress, which complained to the Election Commission of India and blamed the Gujarat CM of violating code of conduct. The Congress slammed Modi for going to vote "in a procession".
“I want to thank the electorate and I am sure they will lead the BJP to a hat-trick win,” said Modi after voting. He further expected the voter turnout in the second phase to exceed than that in the first phase.
Modi also told reporters, "It's a very peaceful election. It is such a election that has been contested by people of Gujarat themselves...An election where youth and women folk have taken up the responsibility on their shoulders...It will be historic one because it has been contested on the issue of good governance and development plank."
The BJP strongman, who is contesting from Maninagar Assembly constituency, is locked in a direct contest with Congress candidate Shweta, the wife of suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt.
Congress' Shweta Bhatt, who is pitted against Narendra Modi from the Maninagar constituency, reached at polling station with her husband, the suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt.
Just before casting her vote, Shweta had said: "I am fighting for truth."
Serpentine queues were witnessed since morning at 23,318 polling stations, with women coming out in large numbers.
Former home minister of Gujarat Amit Shah, who is contesting from Naranpura in Ahmedabad, and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley have also voted.
Meanwhile, reports claim that shots were fired at a BJP candidate in Panchmahal district in Gujarat. Jethabhai Bharwad is reportedly injured after eight rounds of firing by rivals. More details are awaited on the issue.
The constituencies where polling started include 17 in Ahmedabad city, 40 constituencies in five districts-Vadodara, Dahod, Panchmahal, Kheda and Anand-of Central Gujarat, on 32 seats in five districts -Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar and Banaskantha-of North Gujarat, and on six seats in Kutch District.
Voting is underway on 23,318 polling stations amidst elaborate and robust security arrangements. In Ahmedabad 1,700 polling booths have been marked as critical by the Election Commission.
Around 1.98 crore voters will seal the fate of 820 candidates, contesting in this phase.
Out of total 1,98,99,501 voters, there are 1,03,58,265 males, 95,41,157 females and 79 other voters who are likely to exercise their franchise.
Out of a total of 820 in this phase, 49 women candidates in the fray. The BJP has fielded candidates on all 95 seats going to poll in this phase, whereas Congress is contesting on 92 and Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) and Bahujan Samaaj Party (BSP) on 84 seats each, besides 284 independents in fray.
Voters will also decide the fate of political bigwigs like state ministers Anandi Patel, Saurabh Patel, Jaynarayan Vyas, Ramanlal Vora, Praful Patel, Pradipsinh Jadeja and Fakir Vaghela.
Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsi Prajapati alleged fake encounter case accused and former Minister of State for Home Amit Shah will also be awaiting his fate following today's voting.
From Congress party, its senior-most leader and former chief minister Shankarsinh Vaghela, his son Mahendra Vaghela, former state Congress president Siddharth Patel, Shweta Bhatt are in the fray.
For Ellisbridge seat in Ahmedabad, which is going to the poll on Monday, Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) of Keshubhai Patel has given ticket to Jagruti Pandya, the wife of slain BJP leader and former Minister of State for Home Haren Pandya. The millions of votes cast in the Gujarat election - along with those of Himachal Pradesh - will be counted on December 20.
If the BJP wins, Modi - who soars over the party and who has been chief minister since 2001 - could start playing a larger national role both in the BJP and pan-India politics.
A defeat for the BJP could, however, puncture Modi's larger political ambitions and prove a great morale booster for the Congress ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha election.
