After the first phase of polling ended on Saturday with around 68 percent of the electorate casting their votes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again on the campaign trail. Modi will be addressing four rallies on Sunday in Palanpur, Sanand, Kalol and Vadodara.
These four areas are situated in north and central Gujarat, which go to polls on 14 December.
प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi आज गुजरात के पालनपुर, साणंद, कलोल और वड़ोदरा में चुनावी जनसभाओं को सम्बोधित करेंगे। लाइव देखें https://t.co/vpP0MI6iTu पर। लाइव सुनने के लिए डायल करें 022-45014501 pic.twitter.com/tNT3tclCRa
— BJP (@BJP4India) December 10, 2017
Gujarat on Saturday held the first of its two-phase polling. The election was peaceful, barring some incidents of skirmishes, while around 100 complaints of EVM malfunctioning were received.
Till late in the evening, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Gujarat office, BB Swain was still gathering data on the final polling figures for the first phase, which would decide the fate of 977 candidates for 89 Assembly seats in 19 districts of Saurashtra-Kutch and South Gujarat.
Barring two or three incidents, the first phase went off peacefully. "We are very happy that despite apprehensions, everywhere the elections were carried out very peacefully, except a couple of incidents, but that too were outside the polling booths," said Swain.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election campaign rally, at Dhandhuka village of Ahmedabad district on Wednesday. PTI
A clash occurred between two individuals outside a polling booth in Jaar village in Bhayavadar taluka of Rajkot district. While coming out from the polling booth with his wife, a person, Jann Mohammad Sora, had an altercation with Piyush Babubhai, both aged around 30. The two were rushed to the Upleta general hospital after receiving injuries in the clash.
In Surendranagar's Sayla taluka's Chorvira vilage, a clash occurred between two groups outside the polling area. In another incident in Junagadh, a person named Mitbhai Arunbhai who was not a voter, accompanied a person, Amitbhai Thummar, inside the polling booth and started taking pictures, which was stopped by a woman constable on duty. An altercation followed. An FIR has been filed by both the persons against the constable, Vijetaben Parmar.
In Amod near Jambusar, a voter told the Returning Officer (RO) that the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) was showing a different voting preference than the one for which he had voted. However, when the RO asked him to file a written complaint, he refused.
The final hour of ballotting saw an increase of about 10 percent voting. In Amreli, in the last hour, polling increased from 56.38 percent to 67 percent, while in Rajkot at 4 pm it was 60.32 percent which increased to 70 percent at the close of polling at 5 pm. Similarly, about 10 percent increase was seen in Devbhoomi Dwarka during the final hour. In Surat, it was 60.64 percent at 4 pm and rose to 70 after an hour. The polling was carried out even after the declared time of 5 pm in some places as people were still lined up in queues at polling booths, which went on till 6.30 pm.
The maximum polling was seen in Navsari and Morbi districts with 75 percent, whereas the minimum was in Bhavnagar and Botad districts with 60 percent. The polling percentage in 2012 Assembly polls stood at 70.7 percent, while in 2007 it was around 60 percent.
With inputs from IANS
For LIVE updates on the first phase of Gujarat election click here
Published Date: Dec 10, 2017 01:25 pm | Updated Date: Dec 10, 2017 01:35 pm
Highlights
Modi talks of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor
"With the coming of the DMIC, Banaskantha will become a transport hub. This will provide opportunities to the youth of this region," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while concluding his speech in Palanpur.
BJP manifesto stays clear of extravagant promises
Releasing the manifesto, BJP's election in-charge for Gujarat, Arun Jaitley, said it was prepared keeping in mind the party's resolution to maintain and improve on the 10-percent growth clocked by the state under the party's rule. Unlike the 2012 manifesto, the BJP has chosen not to make any extravagant promises, as the present poll document largely revolves around "overall development" and "resolutions" instead of getting into details.
Modi slams Congress over Padma awards
"Just compare the names who were given the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan In the 10 years of UPA government and in the three years of NDA government. You will realise who works for the common man," Modi said while taunting the Congress over its 'suit-boot sarkar jibe'.
Modi welcomed at Palanpur rally
Modi ends his speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apparently suffering from a bad throat and hence could not talk properly. He ended his speech and urged the gathering to vote for BJP.
Modi slams Pakistan for helping Congress, interfering in Gujarat polls
"Have you read about Mani Shankar Aiyar. Didn't they insult me and people of Gujarat? Now news is that Pakistan HC and foreign minister and Manmohan Singh met at his house just before the Gujarat polls. This is a serious issues that I want to ask what is reason for secret meeting with Pakistanis," Modi said.
"Former Pakistan Army director general Arshad Rafique was willing to help make Ahmed Patel the chief minister.," Modi alleged.
"On the second day of the meeting, they planned to insult the people of Gujarat and Modi. This is a serious issue and Congress needs to answer it," Modi added.
Vote Congress out, urges Modi
"Last time in 2012 when everyone voted for me, the five Assembly constituencies here voted for Congress. I know you people are regretting it now. Now is the opportunity to vote the Congress out," Modi said.
Modi thanks people of Palanpur
"Wherever I go in Gujarat, they don't think of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but of our own Narendra bhai," Modi said while thanking the gathering for their love and affection.
394 crorepati candidates in fray for 182 seat Assembly, BJP fields highest 142 millionaires
As many as 397 crorepati candidates are in the fray for the Gujarat Assembly elections, an analysis of their election affidavits done by two NGOs has found.
Of the total 1,828 candidates trying their luck in the two-phased Assembly polls, 1,098 nominees have passed class 12 or below. Also, there are only 118 women candidates in the fray, according to the report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Gujarat Election Watch (GEW).
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.
Voters complain of EVM, VVPAT glitches across state
Earlier on Saturday, there were reports of technical glitches in EVMs in some of the polling booths in Surat and other areas. Last year, the Election Commission had approached the government to buy nearly 14 lakh new electronic voting machines. The Election Commission said it received several complaints against malfunctioning EVMs and VVPATs.
The poll panel received several complaints of EVM malfunctioning in Kosamba region of Valsad district as well. An EVM was also tampered with in Rajkot East constituency, a complaint to the EC said.
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. The polling process was resumed after the EVMs were replaced, an EC official told PTI.
Modi lands in Palanpur
Rupani slams Rahul's old 'Hindu terror' remark
"He said that Hindu terrorism will affect India. He has an anti-Hindu mindset. But now he is going to several temples and praying there. No issues with it," Rupani said while referring to Rahul Gandhi's temple visits in Gujarat.
Rupani slams Congress
They (Congress leader) know that they are going to lose this elections. This is why they are blaming EVM machines now," Rupani said.
Vijay Rupani slams Congress MLAs
"When there were floods in Banaskantha, these Congress MLAs were enjoying in a 5-Star hotel in Bangalore. In the last election, this area elected five Congress MLAs but they did not help in the their bad times. This is the time to teach them a lesson," Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said.
WATCH: Modi's Palanpur rally begins
Narendra Modi questions Congress over Patidar quota
Questioning Congress' assurance of reservation to Patidar community in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday 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.
Rahul Gandhi alleges Narendra Modi of diverting attention from main issues
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads people away from real issues like a magician diverts audience's attention while performing tricks. At a rally in Modi's hometown Vadnagar, Rahul claimed the prime minister was frequently changing the planks on which the BJP wanted to contest the Gujarat polls.
"A magician also tries to hide something. When he performs tricks, he tries to divert the (audience's) attention. Similarly, Narendra Modiji has in the last 10-15 days tried to divert your attention from actual issues," Rahul alleged.
68 percent voting on Saturday
The maximum polling was seen in Navsari and Morbi districts with 75 percent, whereas the minimum was in Bhavnagar and Botad districts with 60 percent. The polling percentage in 2012 Assembly polls stood at 70.7 percent, while in 2007 it was around 60 percent.
Second phase of polling on 14 December
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing four rallies on Sunday in Palanpur, Sanand, Kalol and Vadodara. These four areas are situated in north and central Gujarat, which goes to polls on 14 December.
Preparations in full swing for Palanpur rally
Modi expected to speak to 11.30 am
13:35 (IST)
Narendra Modi attacks Mani Shankar Aiyar
13:17 (IST)
Modi talks of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor
"With the coming of the DMIC, Banaskantha will become a transport hub. This will provide opportunities to the youth of this region," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while concluding his speech in Palanpur.
13:12 (IST)
BJP manifesto stays clear of extravagant promises
Releasing the manifesto, BJP's election in-charge for Gujarat, Arun Jaitley, said it was prepared keeping in mind the party's resolution to maintain and improve on the 10-percent growth clocked by the state under the party's rule. Unlike the 2012 manifesto, the BJP has chosen not to make any extravagant promises, as the present poll document largely revolves around "overall development" and "resolutions" instead of getting into details.
12:59 (IST)
Modi slams Congress over Padma awards
"Just compare the names who were given the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan In the 10 years of UPA government and in the three years of NDA government. You will realise who works for the common man," Modi said while taunting the Congress over its 'suit-boot sarkar jibe'.
12:54 (IST)
Modi welcomed at Palanpur rally
12:52 (IST)
Modi ends his speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apparently suffering from a bad throat and hence could not talk properly. He ended his speech and urged the gathering to vote for BJP.
12:46 (IST)
Modi slams Pakistan for helping Congress, interfering in Gujarat polls
"Have you read about Mani Shankar Aiyar. Didn't they insult me and people of Gujarat? Now news is that Pakistan HC and foreign minister and Manmohan Singh met at his house just before the Gujarat polls. This is a serious issues that I want to ask what is reason for secret meeting with Pakistanis," Modi said.
"Former Pakistan Army director general Arshad Rafique was willing to help make Ahmed Patel the chief minister.," Modi alleged.
"On the second day of the meeting, they planned to insult the people of Gujarat and Modi. This is a serious issue and Congress needs to answer it," Modi added.
12:35 (IST)
Vote Congress out, urges Modi
"Last time in 2012 when everyone voted for me, the five Assembly constituencies here voted for Congress. I know you people are regretting it now. Now is the opportunity to vote the Congress out," Modi said.
12:32 (IST)
Modi thanks people of Palanpur
"Wherever I go in Gujarat, they don't think of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but of our own Narendra bhai," Modi said while thanking the gathering for their love and affection.
12:28 (IST)
394 crorepati candidates in fray for 182 seat Assembly, BJP fields highest 142 millionaires
As many as 397 crorepati candidates are in the fray for the Gujarat Assembly elections, an analysis of their election affidavits done by two NGOs has found.
Of the total 1,828 candidates trying their luck in the two-phased Assembly polls, 1,098 nominees have passed class 12 or below. Also, there are only 118 women candidates in the fray, according to the report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Gujarat Election Watch (GEW).
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.
12:23 (IST)
Voters complain of EVM, VVPAT glitches across state
Earlier on Saturday, there were reports of technical glitches in EVMs in some of the polling booths in Surat and other areas. Last year, the Election Commission had approached the government to buy nearly 14 lakh new electronic voting machines. The Election Commission said it received several complaints against malfunctioning EVMs and VVPATs.
The poll panel received several complaints of EVM malfunctioning in Kosamba region of Valsad district as well. An EVM was also tampered with in Rajkot East constituency, a complaint to the EC said.
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. The polling process was resumed after the EVMs were replaced, an EC official told PTI.
12:16 (IST)
Modi lands in Palanpur
12:14 (IST)
Rupani slams Rahul's old 'Hindu terror' remark
"He said that Hindu terrorism will affect India. He has an anti-Hindu mindset. But now he is going to several temples and praying there. No issues with it," Rupani said while referring to Rahul Gandhi's temple visits in Gujarat.
12:05 (IST)
Rupani slams Congress
They (Congress leader) know that they are going to lose this elections. This is why they are blaming EVM machines now," Rupani said.
12:02 (IST)
Vijay Rupani slams Congress MLAs
"When there were floods in Banaskantha, these Congress MLAs were enjoying in a 5-Star hotel in Bangalore. In the last election, this area elected five Congress MLAs but they did not help in the their bad times. This is the time to teach them a lesson," Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said.
11:54 (IST)
WATCH: Modi's Palanpur rally begins
11:48 (IST)
Narendra Modi questions Congress over Patidar quota
Questioning Congress' assurance of reservation to Patidar community in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday 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.
11:41 (IST)
Rahul Gandhi alleges Narendra Modi of diverting attention from main issues
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads people away from real issues like a magician diverts audience's attention while performing tricks. At a rally in Modi's hometown Vadnagar, Rahul claimed the prime minister was frequently changing the planks on which the BJP wanted to contest the Gujarat polls.
"A magician also tries to hide something. When he performs tricks, he tries to divert the (audience's) attention. Similarly, Narendra Modiji has in the last 10-15 days tried to divert your attention from actual issues," Rahul alleged.
11:36 (IST)
68 percent voting on Saturday
The maximum polling was seen in Navsari and Morbi districts with 75 percent, whereas the minimum was in Bhavnagar and Botad districts with 60 percent. The polling percentage in 2012 Assembly polls stood at 70.7 percent, while in 2007 it was around 60 percent.
11:31 (IST)
Second phase of polling on 14 December
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing four rallies on Sunday in Palanpur, Sanand, Kalol and Vadodara. These four areas are situated in north and central Gujarat, which goes to polls on 14 December.
11:25 (IST)
Preparations in full swing for Palanpur rally
11:15 (IST)
Modi expected to speak to 11.30 am