4:03 PM
55% votes recorded till 3 PM
3:55 PM
3:53 PM Gujarat's average growth rate has been more than 10% in the last 5 years, that is the highest in the world. This performance itself speaks for the 'Gujarat model of development': Arun Jaitley
3:40 PM 'Kaun Nizami?': Congress steers clear of Twitter diatribe
Congress leader Rajiv Shukla on Saturday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on Salman Nizami and said that he didn't know any individual in the party by the name of Nizami.
Shukla's remark has come hours after, Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a public rally in Gujarat's Lunawada, took on Nizami, an alleged Youth Congress leader, over his tweet where he questioned the family background of the prime minister.
To this end, Shukla said, "Salman Nizami kaun hai, hum jaante hi nahin. (We don't even know who Salman Nizami is). He does not hold any position in the party. We can also say that there is some random person Ram Lal in BJP who said something."
"Kahin aap hi ka toh aadmi nahi hai (Is this a plant by you?)," he added.
To read the complete story, click HERE3:37 PM Congress candidate from Porbandar Arjun Modhwadia files complaint with EC over EVM malfunctioning
3:36 PM PM Narendra Modi has moved away from the real issues and he is not talking about employment, development or economy, says Anand Sharma, senior Congress leader
3:27 PM
3:19 PM
3:19 PM
3:18 PM EVM engineer S Anand talks to media after visiting a polling booth in Porbandar's Thakkar plot following complaints of EVM being connected to Bluetooth, says, 'the name that you give to your Bluetooth device will be shown when it is paired to another device'
3:13 PM Narendra Modi: Congress party is synonymous with corruption. Their corrupt practices will never be accepted in Gujarat
3:13 PM A 115-year-old woman from Upleta town of Rajkot, Aajiben Chandravadia, also voted today.
3:12 PM After the polling process began at 8 am, people could be seen stepping out of their houses despite the cold weather and queueing up to cast votes at polling stations.
3:11 PM
Though there were reports of technical glitches in EVMs in Surat and some other centres, the polling process resumed after the machines were replaced, officials of the Election Commission said.
Speaking about it, Swain said, "We have received complaints of faulty EVMs from some places and all such machines have been replaced with the spare ones kept at the polling stations."
3:05 PM Chief Electoral Officer for Gujarat B B Swain said that though voting would end at 5 pm, those standing in queue outside polling booths before the process ends, would be given a chance to cast their votes.
3:05 PM The highest turnout of 38.07 per cent was recorded in the tribal-dominated district of Tapi, while Narmada, another tribal-dominated district in south Gujarat, recorded the lowest turnout of 25.67 per cent.
3:04 PM As per the latest data released by the Election Commission, 30.31 per cent voters exercised their franchise between 8 am and 12 pm. The voting will end at 5 pm.
2:50 PM Election Commission has deployed EVMs with VVPAT machines across all polling booths in Gujarat.
2:49 PM A team of Election Commission reaches polling booth in Thakkar Plot, Porbandar after complaints of EVM being connected to Bluetooth
2:48 PM
A couple, decked in wedding attire, turned up at a polling booth in Bharuch to cast vote.
Several members of a 'baarat' (wedding party), including the couple, came out to vote at Bhavnagar. The bridegroom and the bride, decked in wedding finery, said they wanted to first cast their votes before heading to the marriage venue.
"I am here to vote for development. We decided to first cast our votes before going for wedding," said the groom Bhavesh Rana.
A group of monks from th Swaminarayan sect voted at a polling booth in Gondal.
2:47 PM Young and old, brides and grooms - festival of democracy
From first-time voters to centenarians, cricketers and even brides and grooms, Gujarat saw people of various hues coming out to exercise their franchise in the first phase of assembly polls today.
Voters from different sections of society queued up this morning outside the polling boots in 89 seats spread over south Gujarat and Saurashtra.
"I have cast my vote and would appeal to all voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right," said cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara as he emerged from a booth in Rajkot.
He was accompanied by his father Arvind Pujara.
To read the full report, click HERE2:42 PM
2:38 PM
Supporters' welcome Rahul Gandhi with torchlight in Anand
On December 8, Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited the milk capital of Gujarat, Anand to do a campaign for his party. Rahul's supporters cheered, "Congress ave che" (Congress will be back) with an aglow torchlight swinging in their hands.
Anand is known for Amul dairy and milk revolution. Yogesh Patel (Bapaji) of BJP will be contesting against Kantibhai Sodhaparmar of Congress.
2:33 PM
Why is development missing in PM's speeches: Rahul
The Congress is seeking to wrest power from the BJP and Gandhi has spearheaded the attack, often targeting the prime minister over the claims of development and questioning the 'Gujarat model'.
As polling began today for the first phase of Gujarat elections, the Congress vice president welcomed the first-time youth voters of the state and urged all to help make the festival of democracy a success.
"Participation of voters is the soul of democracy. Welcome all the first-time youth voters of Gujarat. Appeal to all voters to vote to help make a success of this festival of democracy," he said on Twitter.
To read full story, click HERE2:31 PM
"BJP has its government in Gujarat for 22 years. I will only ask, what is the reason development is missing in the prime ministers speeches.
"I asked 10 questions on Gujarats report card but no answers came. No manifesto till the campaign for the first phase of polling ended. So, 'ab bhashan hi shasan hai' (does governance mean mere speeches now)," he asked on Twitter.
2:30 PM
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday stepped up attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking why there is no mention of development in his speeches during the Gujarat election campaign. Gandhi said he did not get an answer to even one of the 10 questions he had asked Modi on Gujarat’s report card, despite the BJP being in power in the state for 22 years and wondered if governance meant mere speeches. “BJP has its government in Gujarat for 22 years. I will only ask, what is the reason development is missing in the Prime Minister’s speeches.”
2:29 PM "I asked 10 questions on Gujarat’s report card but no answers came," Rahul said.
2:14 PM Rahul Gandhi in Patan's Harij: They have everything, central govt, UP govt, Maharashtra govt, IB...everything...but Congress party has nothing but the truth of Gujarat
2:10 PM
How will Congress fulfil Patidar quota promise, asks Modi
Questioning Congress' assurance of reservation to Patidar community in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it will either have to "snatch" the share of SCs, STs and OBCs or is making a "false promise" like it did on Muslim quota issue in several states.
"Either they (Congress) have to snatch it from others or they are spreading lies," Modi said in his first major direct attack on Patidar quota issue, which has rankled the BJP especially after the agitation spearhead Hardik Patel backed the Congress in the Assembly polls.
In his earlier campaign speeches, the prime minister had urged the people not to be taken in by false promises.
To know Prime minister Narendra Modi's full speech, click HERE
2:09 PM
2:07 PM
2:00 PM
The Myth of Congress Campaign in Gujarat: Arun Jaitley
The second limb of the Congress campaign has been that the Gujarat model of development does not exist. This claim has been conclusively demolished by the recent data that Gujarat is the only State in India whose GSDP grew by 10 percent during the period 2012-2017. Gujarat grew atleast two percent faster than the nearest growing State i.e. Madhya Pradesh. A double digit growth rate is unheard during the period of economic downturn. Even the Chinese new normal during this period has been 6.5 percent. A seven percent plus growth rate made India the fastest growing among the major economies for three years. For a large State to grow at 10 percent is unprecedented. The fact that this growth rate has been sustained for five years in a row is an evidence of the success of the Gujarat model, which the Congress wants to wish away.
1:58 PM
The Myth of Congress Campaign in Gujarat: Arun Jaitley
Having been an active participant in the Gujarat Assembly elections since 2002, I cannot resist the temptation of analysing the Congress campaign 2017.
The first distinct aspect of Congress Party’s campaign is that it has clearly demolished its own State-level leadership and outsourced both its leadership and issues to those who had conventionally nothing to do with the Congress Party. There is not a single State leader who is touring the State for the campaign. The Party has disconnected the traditional issues on which it has been campaigning since 2002 and opted for a divisive agenda of social repolarisation. The State paid a heavy price for such mis-adventures in the 1980s and would be very reluctant to repeat this experiment after having liberated itself from caste wars.
1:58 PM Patel took to Twitter and said, "There are reports of EVM malfunctioning in several polling stations. Request the Election Commission (EC) to take necessary action immediately." (sic)
1:56 PM Congress party has made it a practice to say EVM malfunctioned every time when they face defeat. Therefore, they are preparing ground before Dec 18 to blame their defeat on EVM: MoS PMO Jitendra Singh
1:55 PM There is no issue, at few places where machines had problems that has been resolved, machines have been replaced wherever required. Polling is going on peacefully: Harshad Patel, Bhavnagar District Collector.
1:54 PM Gujarat polls: Can the state beat its record turnout of 2012?
Voting for first phase began at 8 am on Saturday, with around 21,231,652 registered voters.
However, it is to be seen whether developments leading to the elections, be it the discontent arising out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation being latched on by Congress or the all out efforts by BJP led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and team, would result in the highest voter turnout ever.
Apparently, it was the previous state assembly elections in 2012 that had seen the highest turnout of over 71.32 per cent in the history of Gujarat's polls. Prior to this, the highest voting was recorded in 1995 with 64.39 per cent polling.
To read full report, click HERE1:50 PM Image of Modi rally in Lunawada.
1:50 PM Image of Modi rally in Lunawada.
1:45 PM Katargam (Surat): A bride to be, Fenny Parekh arrives from her 'haldi' ceremony to cast her vote
1:38 PM PM Modi in Bodeli: Congress leaders are unable to understand and identify with the aspirations of the tribal communities and the farmers
1:37 PM I have served Gujarat for 13 years. When I was CM, I have spent all my time working for the people of Gujarat and now I am serving the people of India with your blessings. Our focus is development : PM Modi in Bodeli
1:23 PM Elderly people arrive to cast their vote in Bharuch's Ankleshwar
1:21 PM Congress leader Rajiv Shukla responds to PM Modi’s remarks about Salman Nizami: "Salman Nizami kaun hai hum jaante hi nahi. He does not hold any position in the party. We can also say that there is some random person Ram Lal in BJP who said something."
1:20 PM Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will be in Vadnagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home town, to address a public meeting.
1:18 PM Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will be in Vadnagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home town, to address a public meeting.
1:16 PM Narendra Modi in Lunavada: BJP will bring law against triple talaq
1:16 PM Narendra Modi will address rallies in Lunavada, Mehsana, Anand and Bodeli. BJP president Amit Shah to attend public meetings in Dahod and Kheda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah will continue their campaign trail for Gujarat elections on Saturday, even as the state votes in the first phase of polls.
1:09 PM
1:06 PM Amid EVM glitches, 10% voter turnout till 10 am
Visible enthusiasm among voters marked the first phase of Gujarat election on Saturday as large queues lined up outside 24,689 polling booths. The Election Commission said it received several complaints against malfunctioning EVMs and VVPATs, while the Model Code of Conduct was also violated at a few places.
In the first two hours of polling in 89 constituencies spread across 19 districts of Kutch, Saurashtra and the southern region of the state, an overall 10 per cent polling was registered, a poll official said.
People showed unprecedented and overwhelming response in Rajkot and Amreli as sources said there was 16 per cent polling since 8 am.
In Rajkot rural constituency, a video of Congress candidate Vashram Sagathia went viral. He was shown voting as one of his men recorded it on his cellphone.
To read full report, click HERE1:01 PM
'India is my everything': PM Modi responds to Youth Congress leader's Twitter diatribe
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took on Salman Nizami, a youth Congress leader, over his tweet where he questioned the family background of the prime minister.
Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a public rally in Gujarat's Lunawada, said, "I want to tell all Congress leaders who are abusing me, mocking my poor family, asking who my parents are. This nation is my everything. Every moment of my time is devoted to India and 125 crore Indians,"
"There is a youth Congress leader Salman Nizami. He is even campaigning for Congress in Gujarat. He wrote on Twitter about Rahul Ji's father, grandmother. That is ok but he asks - Modi tell me who is your Mother, who is your father. Such language can't even be used for enemies," he added.
To read full story, click HERE12:56 PM
12:56 PM
12:54 PM
12:50 PM This will be a landslide victory for BJP and the win will be resounding. Congress's campaign tactics have failed: FM Arun Jaitley
12:49 PM
PM Modi in Lunavada: Congress promised reservation to Muslims in various states. Have they been able to fulfil the promise
12:45 PM In Gujarat polls, BJP sheds 'vikas' and picks religion: Is Modi nervous?
Normally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shouldn't have any worries about the election results in Gujarat. It is Narendra Modi's home state and the party has been in power there for more than two decades.
Prima facie, it should be cakewalk for the BJP, not least because its principle opponent, the Congress, has been down in the dumps all these years. Nor is there any sign of a revival of its moribund organisation.
Yet, the BJP doesn't seem to be at ease. For one, its star -- and, indeed, only effective -- campaigner, the Prime Minister, has virtually parked himself in Gujarat, addressing a large number of meetings all over the state.
As is obvious, it is unusual for a Prime Minister to spend so much time in a single state before an election, especially when the opponent is supposed to be weak. If he has nevertheless done so, it means that he is uncertain about the outcome.
To read the entire column, click
HERE12:33 PM Gujarat Elections 2017: Amid EVM glitches, 10% voter turnout till 10 am
Visible enthusiasm among voters marked the first phase of Gujarat election on Saturday as large queues lined up outside 24,689 polling booths. The Election Commission said it received several complaints against malfunctioning EVMs and VVPATs, while the Model Code of Conduct was also violated at a few places.
In the first two hours of polling in 89 constituencies spread across 19 districts of Kutch, Saurashtra and the southern region of the state, an overall 10 per cent polling was registered, a poll official said.
For complete story click here12:28 PM PM Modi in Lunavada: Congress has promised reservation in Gujarat to a community. Are they going to snatch it away from SC/STs or OBCs or is it just like quota promise to Muslims?
12:19 PM It is unusual for a Prime Minister to spend so much time in a single state before an election.
12:19 PM BJP doesn't seem to be at ease. For one, its star -- and, indeed, only effective -- campaigner, the Prime Minister, has virtually parked himself in Gujarat, addressing a large number of meetings all over the state.
12:15 PM Gujarat elections update: While Modi addressed about 15 rallies, Gandhi spent more than seven days in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, addressing a number of meetings.
12:15 PM The Congress, in political wilderness in Gujarat for nearly 22 years, is desperate to break the jinx. It has raised issues such as the BJP's "hollow development model", besides demonetisation and GST.
12:14 PM Gujarat elections update: In the first two hours, several important leaders and candidates cast their votes, including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, his opponent on Rajkot-West seat Indranil Rajyaguru, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Gujarat BJP chief Jitu Vaghani and Congress MLA of Amreli seat Paresh Dhanan, among others.
12:08 PM PM Modi in Lunavada: The poor are most affected by lack of cleanliness. We are working day and night to make India Swachh but the Congress has a problem with that.
12:06 PM Around 11 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the initial two hours
12:03 PM
Gujarat elections update:
Pujara said: "I feel very proud that I have voted myself. I urge everyone to vote in large numbers, which will be beneficial for democracy.
On being asked about the slow start to the elections in Gujarat, Pujara added: "I appeal to the youngsters to vote. Those who are 18 years age or who are senior citizens, they can exercise their voting rights. Everyone has the right to vote."
12:03 PM Gujarat elections update: Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara today casted his vote in the first phase of Gujarat elections in his hometown Rajkot. He is also the brand ambassador of the elections in Gujarat.
12:01 PM
Gujarat elections update: Couple takes wedding vows with voting
With Gujarat going for polls today people in the state are not just taking out time from their habitual lives but also from their weddings to cast votes.
"I am about to get married today, but as these are the biggest elections we came here and gave our votes. As an Indian citizen it is our duty and responsibility to vote," said the groom.
The bride on the other hand was excited and happy to be able vote on her wedding day. "This made my wedding day more special," she said.
11:58 AM PM Modi in Lunavada: In every part of the nation, the Congress has misled the Muslim community. They have made fake promises of reservations for Muslims but in no state have they fulfilled their promise
11:57 AM
Age-wise
According to a report, of the 1,828 candidates, 118 were women. 658 candidates were in the age group of 25 and 40 years, 889 between ages of 41 and 60, while 193 of them were between 61 and 80.
11:56 AM Educational qualification of candidates
1,098 nominees have either passed only 5th, 8th, 10th or 12th class. 119 candidates mentioned that they were only literate, while 23 others declared that they were illiterate.
11:55 AM
'Crorepati' candidates in fray for Gujarat polls
As many as 13 candidates have declared that their annual income is more than Rs 1 crore, based on the last Income Tax returns filed by them.
11:55 AM
In a sharp contrast, six independent candidates have declared that they have 'zero' movable or immovable assets.
11:55 AM
'Crorepati' candidates in fray for Gujarat polls
BJP candidate and prominent businessman Dhanjibhai Patel of Wadhwan seat is in the fourth place with declared assets of Rs 113.47 crore.
11:51 AM PM Modi in Lunavada: I want to tell all Congress leaders who are abusing me, mocking my poor family, asking who my parents are- this nation is my everything. Every moment of my time is devoted to India and 125 crore Indians
11:48 AM Crowd at Narendra Modi's rally in Lunavada, Gujarat
11:47 AM PM Modi in Lunavada: There is a youth Congress leader Salman Nizami, he is even campaigning for Congress in Gujarat. He wrote on Twitter about Rahul Ji's father, grandmother. That is okay but he asks - Modi tell me who is your Mother, who is your father? Such language can't even be used for enemies
11:43 AM PM Modi in Lunavada: Congress has been rejected comprehensively across the nation. Gujarat too will reject the Congress and will punish them for their politics
11:42 AM Update on Gujarat Assembly Elections: Congress candidate for Daskroi seat, Pankaj Patel has emerged as the wealthiest candidate with declared assets worth Rs 231.93 crore.
He is followed by another Congress nominee Indranil Rajyaguru of Rajkot-West seat who has declared assets worth Rs 141.22 crore.
11:39 AM Modi in Lunawada: Will people of Gujarat accept the Congress, which was rejected by people of the country? The Congress has not understood the mindset of the people of Gujarat. They are going to punish Congress.
11:37 AM
Poor water storage systems of Amreli
In 2015, Amreli district had 117 percent rainfall of the average, but by 2016 summer, the district was struggling for water. This reflects on the districts poor storage systems.
11:32 AM Gujarat Assembly elections: Total of 9.77% voter turnout till 10 am in first phase of voting
11:30 AM A group of Patidars protest as BJP's Reshma Patel arrives to cast her vote in Junagadh
11:29 AM PM Narendra Modi is addressing a rally in Lunavada
11:27 AM
1.5% EVMs in Surat malfunctioned, some have been restored
70 out of 4,397 electronic voting machines or EVMs have malfunctioned in Surat in the Gujarat assembly election 2017.
11:26 AM After some electronic voting machines or EVMs malfunctioned, some of which were soon replaced, Congress leader Ahmed Patel said the "BJP is an opportunist" who "can do anything to be in power." The Congress leader, who voted in Bharuch's Ankleshwar in the Gujarat assembly election 2017, said the party will win over 110 seats in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
11:18 AM Wherever there are complaints of EVM malfunctioning, it should be dealt with immediately: Ahmed Patel, Congress
11:17 AM
11:17 AM Voting was boycotted by the villagers of Kalyanpur in Jam Jodhpur constituency opposing the unavailability of water in the region.
11:17 AM Senior Congress leader from Porbandar, Arjun Modhwadia has complained of one EVM machine connected with a WiFi.
11:16 AM A Congress candidate from Pardi also filed a complaint with the EC for a Voter Verification Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) not showing the paper slip while voting.
11:15 AM An EVM was also tampered with in Rajkot East constituency, a complain to the EC said.
11:13 AM The poll panel also received several complaints over Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctioning in Kosamba region of Valsad district.
11:13 AM In Rajkot rural constituency, a video of Congress candidate Vashram Sagathia went viral. He was shown voting as one of his men recorded it on his cellphone. A complaint was registered with the Election Commission.
11:12 AM People showed unprecedented and overwhelming response in Rajkot and Amreli as sources said there was 16 per cent polling since 8 a.m.
11:11 AM In the first two hours of polling in 89 constituencies spread across 19 districts of Kutch, Saurashtra and the southern region of the state, an overall 10 per cent polling was registered, a poll official said.
11:10 AM The Election Commission said it received several complaints against malfunctioning EVMs and VVPATs, while the Model Code of Conduct was also violated at a few places.
11:06 AM The report said that 56 independent candidates also fall under this category. The remaining 'crorepati' candidates belong to lesser known parties or outfits.
11:05 AM The NCP has given tickets to 17 crorepati candidates, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded 13 such candidates and the BSP to five.
11:05 AM While the ruling BJP has given tickets to 142 'crorepati' candidates, the opposition Congress has fielded 127 such nominees.
11:04 AM As per the study, 131 of these 397 'crorepati' candidates have declared assets worth over Rs 5 crore, while 124 others have shown movable and immovable assets in the range of Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore.
11:03 AM While 198 out of the total 977 candidates of the first phase have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore, 199 nominees out of the total 851 of second phase have emerged as 'crorepati' as per the analysis of their affidavits conducted by the NGOs.
11:02 AM There are only 118 women candidates in the fray
11:02 AM Of the total 1,828 candidates trying their luck in the two-phased Assembly polls, 1,098 nominees have passed class 12 or below.
11:02 AM 397 'crorepati' candidates in fray for Gujarat polls
10:58 AM
8.50% polling recorded in Surat, 14.03 % in Gir Somnath and 13.29% in Talala till 10 am
10:57 AM Have replaced two machines and one VVPAT, you cannot really call it a technical error, these are electronic items there can be some issues. Now everything is okay & voting has started: Vipul Goti, Master Trainer, Election Commission in Surat's Varaccha
10:52 AM
10:52 AM Meanwhile, the Congress Party has another reason to celebrate today. It's Sonia Gandhi's birthday.
10:48 AM Employment in Gujarat
Meanwhile, a young man present in the polling booth said, "I would like to say that youngsters in the state are not provided employment even after completing their education. Youngsters are at lurch so we are here to vote. We hope there will be some changes in the state."
10:48 AM Another voter further criticising reforms like GST said, "We are here to vote for development. There has been no development in Gujarat; everyone in the state is hassled with various schemes implemented by the government."
10:45 AM In a polling booth in Bharuch voters expressed their desire for a change in government for development and betterment of the state.
10:39 AM Gujarat election update: A voter in a polling booth of Surat termed the election procedure as an 'Utsav' and said, " As an Indian I feel election is kind of 'Utsav' and it our responsibility to participate in it."
10:39 AM Gujarat election update: While some people are seen excited to exercise their voting right others anticipated a change in the government.
10:37 AM Polling will end at 5 p.m
10:37 AM "Phase 1 of Gujarat polls begin. Urging all those voting today to turnout in record numbers and vote. I particularly call upon youngsters to exercise their franchise," the Prime Minister tweeted.
10:36 AM Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged people to turn out in record numbers in the Gujarat's assembly polls and particularly urged the youngsters to cast their votes.
10:32 AM Technical error reported in 33 EVMs in Rajkot: Reports
10:30 AM Congress' Arjun Modhwadia casts his vote at a polling booth in Porbandar, he is contesting against BJP's sitting MLA Babu Bokhiria.
10:29 AM Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel casts his vote in Bharuch's Ankleshwar, says 'Congress will win more than 110 seats'
10:28 AM Voting underway on Surat's Kamrej assembly seat. BJP’s Zalavadiya Vinubhai Dahyabhai is up against Congress's Ashok Jirawala
10:28 AM Cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara casts his vote in Rajkot's Ravi Vidayalaya booth.
10:26 AM A couple in Bharuch cast their votes before their wedding ceremony
10:22 AM LIVE updates: Faulty EVM in Sardar Patel Vidyalaya booth in Surat's Varaccha has been replaced
10:10 AM 8.5 per cent voter turnout in the first hour of voting in Gujarat
10:09 AM Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said the BJP's Gujarat model was a model to deceive people
10:02 AM
10:00 AM
I care for farmers, not chair: PM Modi
"When I had taken over as the Chief Minister (of Gujarat), farmers from Patan and Banaskantha met me and I told them to focus on irrigation. People told me this approach will ensure you are defeated. I said - I do not care for the chair, I want to work for the farmers and want to work for Banaskantha, and Patan."
9:58 AM Voting underway on Surat's Kamrej assembly seat. BJP’s Zalavadiya Vinubhai Dahyabhai is up against Congress's Ashok Jirawala
9:57 AM
9:56 AM Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was quick to take offence and, in a tweet, pointed out that the language used by Aiyar was contrary to the 'culture and heritage' of the party. He further said that the party expects Aiyar to apologise for what he said.
9:55 AM A couple reaches polling booth in Bharuch's Bahumali building to cast their votes before their wedding ceremony
9:54 AM Aiyar, who infamously dismissed Modi as a “chaiwalla” ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, called the PM an uncultured man who practices dirty politics.
9:54 AM
Trouble for Congress ahead of Gujarat polls
Mani Shankar Aiyar, Congress leader, on Thursday raised a political storm after he used the word 'neech aadmi' against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Mujhko lagta hai ki ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, isme koi sabhyata nahi hai, or aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai? (This man is a low-life person, he isn't cultured... at this moment why does he need to practice such dirty politics?)” he said.
9:51 AM "The Congress party will always respect him, but I would like to tell you that sometimes it appears that whether it is Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, it sometimes appears that they (BJP) have turned them into a product," Gandhi said.
9:51 AM "Sardar Patel does not belong to either Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi or Solanki, or to Gujarat or India, but he belongs to the world," Rahul said
9:51 AM
Gandhi addressed a campaign meeting on Friday in Anand town in central Gujarat which is historically associated with Patel, a stalwart of freedom struggle and the country's first home minister.
"You (state Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki) said that Sardar Patel was a Congress leader. You named (V D) Savarkar and others, and said that Sardar Patel did not belong to the BJP but to the Congress.
"This is a fact that he was part of Congress party. But if we go deeper to understand Sardar Patel, we will find that he is a voice in the heart of Gujarat," Gandhi said.
9:50 AM
BJP has turned leaders like Patel into 'product': Rahul Gandhi
9:48 AM
9:48 AM The most-watched contest today is in the heart of Saurashtra in Rajkot West, where sitting legislator Chief Minister Vijay Rupani takes on the Congress' Indranil Rajguru. Other major contests feature senior minister Babubhai Bokhiria, the Congress' Arjun Modhwadia and former Finance and Power Minister Saurabh Patel.
9:42 AM
First Published: Sat, December 09 2017. 16:19 IST
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