2:03 PM
Chidambaram raps EC for issuing Rahul show cause notice
Congress leader P Chidambaram today asked the Election Commission why it picked on the party's president-elect Rahul Gandhi for giving media interviews while leaving out BJP leaders who did the same thing.
In a series of tweets, Chidambaram accused the poll panel of sleeping on the job and also asked people in Gujarat to exercise their franchise and "change" the BJP government in the state.
"Yesterday, PM made a speech. BJP's President gave an interview. Railway Minister gave an interview. Why have all these escaped the EC's attention? Why pick on only Mr Rahul Gandhi's interview?" Chidambaram said.
"Allowing a roadshow of PM on voting day is a gross violation of code of conduct. It is an election campaign. What is the EC doing?" Chidambaram asked.
2:02 PM
Rahul Gandhi in Kerala
Gandhi, who is here after hectic electioneering in Gujarat, said he wanted to come to meet the families earlier. But due to prior programmes in connection with the Gujarat polls, he could not do so and expressed his apology.
"Some of you have lost sons, some of you lost husbands. This loss cannot be replaced...we will try to make your life as comfortable as possible," he said.
2:01 PM Rahul visits cyclone-hit areas in Kerala
Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi today visited some places hit by the Cyclone Ochki in southern Kerala that has claimed 66 lives, most of them fishermen, and pitched for a better warning system to prevent recurrence of such tragedies.
Addressing the families of fishermen who died in the cyclone and interacting with them, Gandhi said the state and Central governments need to learn lessons from the natural calamity, which has also left 95 fishermen missing.
"When a tragedy happens, everyone must learn from the tragedy and avoid such a situation in future. We must have a better system of warning for the fishermen who are goingto the sea," he said speaking to affected families in coastal hamlet Poonthura, near Thiruvananthapuram.
1:57 PM
1:56 PM
1:54 PM
Election Commission is a puppet in Modi's hands: Congress
The Congress’ attack comes a day after the Election Commission sought an explanation from party president-elect Rahul Gandhi for appearing in TV interviews ahead of the second phase of voting in Gujarat, which it said was a violation of the model code of conduct.
The EC, on Wednesday, also filed FIRs against TV channels that aired the interviews, saying rules prohibit display of any “election matter” within 48 hours of the start of polling.
1:53 PM Election Commission is a puppet in Modi's hands: Congress
The Congress launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission, saying the “sinking ship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign is being saved by the poll panel”.
“The Election Commission of India has set different standards for the BJP and the Congress. What is the reason for the poll panel to behave like a frontal organisation of BJP,” asked Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala at a press conference in New Delhi.
“It is a great shame that PM Narendra Modi has turned all constitutional institutions into his puppets, the Election Commission of India being one of them,” added Surjewala.
1:50 PM Modi rides in open jeep after casting vote, Congress says it is violation of code of conduct
1:48 PM Congress' Randeep S Surjewala on PM Modi
People of India are watching the PM and the Election Commission today and we hope they do justice
1:47 PM Senior BJP leader LK Advani after casting his vote
1:44 PM Senior BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote in Ahmedabad District's Jamalpur Khadiya
1:42 PM Congress' Randeep S Surjewala on PM Modi
Randeep S Surjewala: I would like the PM to understand that sea-planes and photo opportunities are not going to help in gaining votes. Gujarat is now talking on the core issues being faced by the state
1:40 PM
Expectation of voters
Rural and urban voters seem to differ in their expectations. While the rural people mostly desire higher price realisation for agricultural produce, better public transport and employment opportunities, the least welcome response from them comes for issues like environmental concerns, electricity for agriculture and irrigation programmes.
The more crucial issues for the urban voters, on the other hand, are better employment opportunities, the facility for pedestrians and cyclists on roads and the empowerment of women. The other issues include better law and order, training for jobs, security for women and traffic decongestion.
A total of 1,815 candidates are contesting the Gujarat poll, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has ruled for more than 2 decades, uninterruptedly.
1:32 PM
Gujarat Dy CM confident of winning from Kadi constituency
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, who is contesting against Congress' Jivabhai Patel from Mehsana constituency, expressed confidence of winning after casting his vote for the second-phase of Gujarat Assembly elections.
Speaking to media here, the deputy chief minister said, "I am very much confident today. I am contesting polls from Mehsana and my area is Kadi. People of Gujarat are with the Vikas model of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). I request people of Gujarat to come and vote in large numbers."
1:26 PM Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi is in Thiruvananthapuram's Poonthura.
"I was not here physically but in spirit I was here, I have come here to pay respects to the people who have passed away in Ochki Cyclone", he said.
1:21 PM The Congress had complained to the Election Commission that three polling booths in Porbandar, a Muslim-dominated area, were hacked. Following an inquiry, the poll body rejected these claims.
1:20 PM
BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha asked voters to be careful and vigilant of any 'hanky panky' while using electronic machines (EVMs) to vote in polling booths. His statement comes in the wake of allegations that EVMs were manipulated using Bluetooth technology during the first phase of polling on December 9.
“To get desired result & most desirable Govt. – come one & come all in maximum strength to make your long awaited dream come true. Be very careful & vigilant. Take care of any hanky panky – electronic machine or otherwise & not get a bad name. Best wishes! Jai Gujarat. Jai Hind!” the Lok Sabha MP tweeted.
1:19 PM
1:16 PM Here are the top 10 expectations of Gujarat voters
|
ISSUES |
Expectations of addressing (as perceived by voters on a scale of 1-10) |
|
Better employment opportunities |
8.72 |
|
Better public transport |
7.65 |
|
Empowerment of Women |
7.6 |
|
Security for women |
7.41 |
|
Trustworthiness of MP |
7.34 |
|
Environmental issues |
6.77 |
|
Better electric supply |
6.71 |
|
Better roads |
6.64 |
|
Drinking water |
6.61 |
|
Better Law and Order / Policing |
6.61
|
1:16 PM
What do Gujarat voters expect?
Pre-election campaigns are always seen as political parties' drive to infuse into voters a trust for themselves and their policies. On their part, when voters go and cast their votes to a certain party or candidate, they certainly have some expectations from the party or candidate.
A lot was said during campaigning by tall political leaders like Prime Minister Modi his party colleague Amit Shah, Congress' Rahul Gandhi, Patidar leader Hardik Patel, and new leaders like Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakore, among others.
The Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) recently came out with a survey highlighting the voters' top expectations in the Gujarat Assembly election 2017.
According to the ADR, the key issues of Gujarat citizens include better public transport, employment opportunities and women empowerment.
1:11 PM We have received two complaints regarding presence of Bluetooth in polling booths in Ghatlodia and Mehsana.We sent observers to the spot: Gujarat EC
1:03 PM Voting has been delayed at Varthu village of Modasa due to EVM technical error.
12:59 PM
12:57 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi casts his vote in the second and final phase of Gujarat Assembly elections, amid thousands of supporters surrounding the booth in Sabarmati.
Prime Minister Modi's, whose residential address falls in Sabarmati constituency, exercised his voting right from booth number 115 here in Ranip.
12:56 PM Compared to phase 1, less than 50% cases of #EVM replacements in phase 2. Our target remains to replace the faulty EVMs as soon as possible: EC
12:45 PM Former Cricketer Nayan Mongia casts his vote in Vadodara's Akota. Congress's Ranjit Chauhan and BJP's Seemaben Akshaykumar Mohile are contesting election from the constituency.
12:42 PM
39% voting till 12 pm in second phase of Gujarat Assembly Elections
12:39 PM Gujarat Assembly elections: Business tycoon Gautam Adani tweeted: In a populous country like India, people think that a single vote doesn't make a difference & becomes a problem when millions do not vote. Voting is not just constitutional right but responsibility. I urge all those who have not voted yet to go and participate in democracy.
12:34 PM
12:33 PM
12:32 PM
12:30 PM
12:29 PM BJP chief Amit Shah, along with son Jay Shah, visited a temple after voting early.
12:28 PM Out of total machines deployed for second phase of Gujarat Polls 1.63% VVPATs replaced after mock polls. 0.88 % Ballot Units and 0.86% Control Units also replaced: BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer.
12:26 PM
PM Modi casts his vote and waves at the crowd
12:21 PM PM Modi casts his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality
12:18 PM
12:16 PM
Ahmedabad: PM Modi stands in queue at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality to cast his vote
12:15 PM
12:14 PM
12:13 PM Ahmedabad: PM Modi arrives in Sabarmati's Ranip locality to cast his vote at booth number 115
12:13 PM PM Modi has pitched the Gujarat battle as one between "vikas (development)" and "vanshwaad (dynasty)," in an attack on Rahul Gandhi, who is set to take over from his mother Sonia Gandhi as Congress president on Saturday, before votes are counted.
12:12 PM As he left for Delhi after wrapping up a hectic campaign, PM Modi made an emotional vote appeal asking Gujarat to "not only give the BJP an overwhelming majority but also ensure that BJP wins in every polling booth across the state."
12:12 PM PM Modi will vote at a polling booth in the Nishan High School in Ranip locality of Sabarmati, about 10 km from the river from where he took off in a seaplane on Tuesday after a roadshow in Ahmedabad was cancelled.
12:02 PM Visuals from Ahmedabad's Sabarmati; BJP's sitting MLA Arvind Patel is up against Congress' Jitubhai Patel from the seat. PM Modi will cast his vote at booth number 115 here.
11:46 AM
Congress' Shaktisinh Gohil casts his vote in Gandhinagar.
11:45 AM Though the weather has turned chillier than it was in the first phase on December 9, when Gujarat recorded over 60 per cent polling, it is believed that after the day warms up, more polling will take place.
11:45 AM Gujarat elections: At many places in urban areas, people themselves were seen creating awareness and urging members of housing societies to come out and vote.
11:44 AM
Many bigwigs, including union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, state Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki and Patidar leader Hardik Patel have cast their vote.
Jaitley cast his vote in Ahmedabad; Nitin Patel cast his vote from the Kadi region; Solanki reached his native Mendarda village in Borsad to cast his vote and Hardik Patel cast his vote in Viramgam.
11:43 AM
Visuals from Ahmedabad's Sabarmati, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will cast his vote at booth number 115 here.
11:41 AM
Soaring Congress hopes
Rahul Gandhi, in his first media interaction after being elected as party president, told presspersons that there was “tremendous undercurrent” against the ruling BJP in Gujarat and predicted a victory for his party in the Assembly polls.
Citing quota agitations by Patidars and OBCs and Dalits as an example of rising discontent among the people, he claimed that “public mood” had undergone a radical shift with all sections of society angry with the saffron party.
11:36 AM There were reports of skirmish in Dhanera town in the Banaskantha, where a poll official was attacked by a group, police said.
11:36 AM There were several complaints made to the Election Commission against the electronic voting machines in and around Vadodara city. At many places, the polling was halted due to such malfunctioning.
11:35 AM The first few hours of polling in the second and final phase of the Gujarat elections on Thursday saw very few voters following a dip in the temperature. 12 per cent voting was recorded in two hours, an official said, adding the process will pick up as the day progresses.
11:34 AM Sitaram Yechury tweeted on BJP corruption cases: Not surprising, given the long list of scams: Sahara-Birla diaries, GSPCL, Vyapam, Rice, Chopper, Mining, Srijan, Lalit Modi. Counting.
11:31 AM
11:30 AM
11:26 AM
BJP MLA says he doesn't care about EC
District election authorities have issued a show-cause notice to Bhushan Bhatt, a BJP MLA from the city, for allegedly saying that he does not care about the Election Commission while offering money to those attending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally.
Bhatt, whom the BJP has fielded from Jamalpur-Khadia seat this time too, was caught up in the controversy after a video, purportedly showing him making the statement, went viral yesterday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally at the Sabarmati Riverfront.
He can also be heard offering petrol expenses to his supporters, and more than Rs 200 to each person they bring for the PM's rally, held on the night of December 11.
"Don't be under the impression that people will get just Rs 200. I know that people of this area are not rich. Just ensure a large crowd," Bhatt purportedly said.
11:23 AM About 12 per cent voter turnout recorded in first two hours.
11:22 AM Congress state chief Bharatsinh Solanki casts his vote in polling booth no.201 in Anand
11:17 AM Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP patriarch L K Advani among the saffron heavyweights expected to exercise their franchise in the second and final phase of Gujarat elections
11:11 AM Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain casts his vote in Gandhinagar.
11:05 AM Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also cast his vote later in the day
11:05 AM
Vote BJP for development, Jaitley urges people
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday urged the people of Gujarat to vote in huge numbers to continue the journey of development with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"The 'Vikas' (development and growth) journey of Gujarat is in progress and we have already done a tremendous work in past 22 years. I appeal to the people of Gujarat that they come in huge numbers for voting and maintain the journey of development with the BJP," Jaitley briefed media after casting his vote in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur.
11:01 AM While the Times Now-VMR opinion poll predicted 106-116 seats for the BJP, CVoter/TV9 predicted 109 seats for the ruling party. The Lokniti-CSDS-ABP poll gave the BJP 91 to 99 seats.
10:57 AM Rahul Gandhi: BJP and Modiji indulge in aggressive attacks against me. But I don't retaliate because I don't mind it.
10:52 AM 150 seats in Gujarat can propel Nifty to 10,700 levels, say analysts
Markets are likely to remain choppy over the next two trading sessions as they react to the exit poll outcome (Friday) and the counting of votes (Monday) for the recently held assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.
To report full report, click HERE
10:51 AM Jignesh Mevani is contesting from Vadgam as an Independent candidate, with the Congress not fielding anyone against him.
10:51 AM Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel is contesting from Mehsana, from where Hardik Patel had launched his movement to demand reservation for Patels or Paatidars in government jobs and colleges
10:50 AM The Congress has attempted to harness the anger of key groups against the ruling party and has tied up with Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, backward leader Alpesh Thakore and the face of the Patel agitation for reservation, Hardik Patel.
10:49 AM The BJP's lead campaigner PM Modi has extensively focused on the tribal belts to complement the party's conscious effort to deepen its roots within the tribal community, including encouraging local leaders.
10:48 AM
Anti-incumbency sentiment toward BJP
It is in the tribal belt that the BJP, which has been in power for the last 22 years, expects to make up for any loss in other places because of an anti-incumbency sentiment.
10:47 AM
The Gujarat election result will be "shocking" for the BJP, Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday, maintaining he didn't return Prime Minister Narendra Modi's verbal barbs targeting him and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh because he wanted to change the culture of personal attacks in political discourse.
"Gujarat will this time throw a surprising result. It will be shocking for the BJP. They are scared. BJP workers who talk to our leaders say that the Congress effectively campaigned in Gujarat and their own campaign was not so effective. Even they feel they will not be able to defend their own record," Gandhi said.
10:46 AM The BJP's big challenge in this round is to retain Ahmedabad and Vadodara, Gujarat's two mega cities that had overwhelmingly backed the party in the last election. The BJP had won 26 of the 31 seats from these two districts alone.
10:45 AM Deputy CM Nitin Patel casts his vote in Mehsana's Kadi. He is contesting against Congress's Jivabhai Patel
10:45 AM The ruling BJP had won 52 of the 93 constituencies voting today in the 2012 assembly election, and the Congress had won 39.
10:38 AM
10:37 AM PAAS leader Hardik Patel casts his vote in Viramgam
10:35 AM Phase 1
In the first phase of assembly elections in 89 constituencies across Kutch, Saurashtra and south Gujarat on Saturday last, there was 68 per cent voter turnout, lower than last time's 71.3 per cent for the whole of Gujarat.
10:33 AM Here is the full list of candidates from the BJP and Congress, the two biggest parties in the fray, with criminal records:
|
CANDIDATES |
BJP/INC |
DISTRICTS |
CONSTITUENCIES |
|
Mehta Shaileshbhai Kanaiyalal |
BJP |
Vadodara |
Dabhoi |
|
Bhuriya Maheshbhai Somjibhai |
BJP |
Dahod |
Jhalod (St) |
|
Ahir (Bharwad) Jethabhai Ghelabhai |
BJP |
Panchmahal |
Shehra |
|
Babubhai Jamnadas Patel |
BJP |
Ahmedabad |
Daskroi |
|
Chandrakant Dahyabhai Patel |
BJP |
Anand |
Petlad |
|
Pandya Shashikant Mahobatram |
BJP |
Banaskantha |
Deesa |
|
Ketanbhai Mahendrabhai Inamdar |
BJP |
Vadodara |
Savli |
|
Rathva Jayantibhai Savajibhai |
BJP |
Chhota Udepur |
Jetpur (St) |
|
Parmar Govindbhai Raijibhai |
BJP |
Anand |
Umreth |
|
Bhushan Ashok Bhatt |
BJP |
Ahmedabad |
Jamalpur - Khadia |
|
Satishbhai Motibhai Patel |
BJP |
Vadodara |
Karjan |
|
Parmar Pradipbhai Khanabhai |
BJP |
Ahmedabad |
Asarwa (Sc) |
|
Chauhan Mansinh Kohyabhai |
BJP |
Mahisagar |
Balasinor |
|
Kishori Kanaiyalal Bachubhai |
BJP |
Dahod |
Dahod (St) |
|
Rajput Jagroopsinh Girdansinh |
BJP |
Ahmedabad |
Bapunagar |
|
Rajendrasinh Ranjitsinh Chavda |
BJP |
Sabarkantha |
Himatnagar |
|
Amitbhai Harisingbhai Chaudhary |
BJP |
Gandhinagar |
Mansa |
|
Mahendrabhai Rameshbhai Bhabhor |
BJP |
Dahod |
Garbada (St) |
|
Chaudhary Shankarbhai Lagdhirbhai |
BJP |
Banaskantha |
Vav |
|
Pradipsinh Bhagvatsinh Jadeja |
BJP |
Ahmedabad |
Vatva |
|
Rajendra Trivedi |
BJP |
Vadodara |
Raopura |
|
Chakrawarti Vijaykumar Harkhabhai |
BJP |
Banaskantha |
Vadgam (Sc) |
|
Kiritkumar Chimanlal Patel |
INC |
Patan |
Patan |
|
Katara Bhaveshbhai Babubhai |
INC |
Dahod |
Jhalod (St) |
|
Manibhai Jethabhai Vaghela |
INC |
Sabarkantha |
Idar (Sc) |
|
Patel Niranjan Purushottamdas |
INC |
Anand |
Petlad |
|
Gohil Indravijaysinh |
INC |
Ahmedabad |
Nikol |
|
Patel Shashikant Vasudevbhai |
INC |
Ahmedabad |
Ghatlodia |
|
Vakhala Bharatsinh Pratapbhai |
INC |
Dahod |
Devgadhbaria |
|
Rajput Damraji Devjibhai |
INC |
Banaskantha |
Tharad |
|
Ajitsinh Parvatsinh Chauhan |
INC |
Mahisagar |
Balasinor |
|
Kotwal Ashvinbhai Laxmanbhai |
INC |
Sabarkantha |
Khedbrahma (St) |
|
Sagar Prakash Koko Brahmbhatt |
INC |
Vadodara |
Savli |
|
Shah Mihirbhai Subodhbhai |
INC |
Ahmedabad |
Vejalpur |
|
Chauhan Arvindsinh Vishvanathsinh |
INC |
Ahmedabad |
Amraiwadi |
|
Patel Himmatsinh Prahladsinh |
INC |
Ahmedabad |
Bapunagar |
|
Tadvi Maheshbhai Ratansing |
INC |
Dahod |
Limkheda (St) |
|
Baria Udesinh Mohanbhai |
INC |
Panchmahal |
Halol |
|
Chauhan Dushyantsinh Narvatsinh |
INC |
Panchmahal |
Shehra |
|
Kamleshkumar Jayantibhai Patel |
INC |
Sabarkantha |
Himatnagar |
|
Govabhai Hamirabhai Rabari |
INC |
Banaskantha |
Deesa |
|
Thakor Rajendrasinh Shivsinh |
INC |
Arvalli |
Modasa |
|
Baraiya Mahendrasinh Kacharsinh |
INC |
Sabarkantha |
Prantij |
|
Parmar Punambhai Madhabhai |
INC |
Anand |
Sojitra |
|
Raghubhai Ditabhai Machhar |
INC |
Dahod |
Fatepura (St) |
|
Narendrakumar Ravat |
INC |
Vadodara |
Sayajigunj |
|
Chandrakant R. Shrivastav |
INC |
Vadodara |
Raopura
|
10:31 AM "I am sure that BJP will achieve the target it has set for itself and the party will again form the government. Our candidate will get more votes than what I had got, and the Patidar factor is not going to affect us," Patel told reporters after casting her vote.
10:31 AM
Anandiben Patel is not contesting. She cast her vote at a polling booth in Ahmedabad's Ghatlodia Assembly constituency, from where she was an MLA.
This time, the BJP has fielded Bhupendra Patel from the seat, who is pitted against Congress' Shashikant Patel.
10:26 AM Several opinion polls have predicted that the ruling BJP will win a little over 100 seats in the state, which is way below its target of 150.
10:25 AM
PM Modi's mother casts her vote
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Hiraba today cast her vote at a poll booth located at Aryabhatt High School in Gandhinagar.
She was accompanied by her younger son Pankaj Modi and other family members.
After casting her vote, the prime minister's mother, who is in her 90s, showed her inked finger to mediapersons outside the poll booth.
"May God bless Gujarat," she told the reporters while emerging out of the poll booth.
She was among the early voters, who also included former chief minister Anandiben Patel.
10:24 AM Amit Shah appeals voters to participate in celebration of democracy
"I appeal the voters of Gujarat to come out and vote for the development of the state and participate in the celebration of democracy," the BJP state president said on Thursday.
10:21 AM
10:19 AM Going strong at 103, Umiyaben Patel casts her vote at Thaltej early on Thursday morning.
10:16 AM We fixed the EVM machine and now the voting is underway in Chhota Udaipur: Gaurang Rana, Polling Officer
10:15 AM The EVM in Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur was dysfunctional for 50 minutes, so voting was halted for that duration
10:12 AM Congress party candidates with criminal record
25 of the Congress' 88 are charged with criminal cases.
10:11 AM BJP candidates with criminal record
Among the BJP candidates, 22 of the 86 have criminal cases
10:10 AM Phase-2 candidates with 'criminal records'
According to a report by ADR (Association of Democratic Reforms), a total 852 candidates, including independent ones, will be in the fray in the second round. The ADR analysis of 822 of of the 852 candaidates' election afficdavits shows that 101 (12%) of all candidates have criminal cases filed against them -- 64 of them (8%) have serious criminal cases.
10:08 AM
10:07 AM Finance Minister Arun Jaitley casts vote in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur
9:44 AM Shankersinh Vaghela cast his vote in Gandhinagar's Vasan village.
9:43 AM
Meanwhile, an audio clip of BJP MLA talking of corruption in the party goes viral
9:41 AM "They should have respected the Ram who is hidden in the pain and Sufferings of Dalits, who were attacked in Una..the Ram hidden in people belonging to backward classes who are being exploited. They should have been given due respect by the BJP," he added.
To read full story, click HERE
9:40 AM Ram is omnipresent, says Congress on Ram Setu issue
BJP should have respected the Ram who is hidden in the pain and Sufferings of Dalits, who were attacked in Una.
After BJP's attack on Congress on the "Ram Setu" issue, the party defended itself by saying "Lord Rama was "omnipresent" and BJP was trying to divert attention from the development issues of Gujarat.
"You can see him in an idol, because that is a matter of faith. But it would have been good had the BJP respected the Ram in the hearts of the people in Gujarat, the Ram in the expectations and desire of Gujarati people ... the Ram hiddden in people belonging to Patidar community, who were attacked by the BJP, and also against whom false complaints were filed, the Ram who resides in 30 lakh unemployed youth, the Ram in the farmers of Gujarat.
9:38 AM How educated are different parties' candidates?
Similarly, among the most educated candidates, 72 of the Congress' candidates and 68 of the BJP's are graduates or more qualified.
Here is the full party-wise list of candidates based on their qualification:
|
Party |
Illiterate |
Literate
(up to 10th pass) |
12th Pass |
Graduate |
Graduate |
Post Graduate |
Doctrate |
Others/ not given |
|
BJP |
0 |
68 |
38 |
23 |
32 |
10 |
3 |
7 |
|
BSP |
1 |
68 |
36 |
9 |
12 |
7 |
0 |
5 |
|
INC |
1 |
63 |
32 |
30 |
25 |
13 |
4 |
8 |
|
NCP |
1 |
24 |
12 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
|
AAP |
0 |
8 |
7 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
|
Independent |
15 |
429 |
102 |
78 |
48 |
39 |
2 |
22 |
|
others |
4 |
237 |
81 |
44 |
39 |
15 |
4 |
20 |
|
total |
22 |
953 |
308 |
193 |
167 |
92 |
14 |
66
|
9:36 AM Gujarat voters encourage others to vote on Twitter
9:20 AM
9:19 AM BJP President Amit Shah cast his vote in Naranpura
9:17 AM Meanwhile, PM Modi is inducting India's 1st Scorpene-class 'Kalvari' submarine into Navy
9:15 AM
How Modi breached security
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi violated security guidelines by flying in a single engine seaplane.
In a statement on his Twitter page, he said: "How is it that the security guidelines were relaxed for this flight? No Z+ protectee is allowed to fly in a single engine aircraft, much less the PM of our country".
9:09 AM Modi's seaplane flew from Karachi to escort him to Dharoi?
Prime minister's aerial ride to bypass the lack of police permission for a road show in Gujarat is now generating a controversy. Questions are being raised on social media about possible violations of safety and security norms in this 20-minute VVIP flight.
Quint reported that the seaplane was "near Karachi" on December 3 before it flew into Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji airport at 7:45 pm that evening. The report also said that the cost of flying the plane may have amounted to approximately $70,000 (Rs 45 lakh).
To read the full report, click HERE
9:07 AM Parents of Hardik Patel Bharat Patel and Usha Patel cast their votes in Viramgam
9:04 AM Key candidates in Phase 2 elections are the Congress party's Alpesh Thakor, contesting from Radhanpur seat; BJP's Dy CM Nitin Patel, from Mehesana; Dalit candidate Jignesh Mevani, contesting independently from Vadgam; and former Gujarat Congress President Siddharth Patel, contesting from Dabhoi seat.
9:01 AM Gujarat election 2017: Key facts about Phase 2 of polling
|
Total number of EVMS |
28,114 |
|
No. of polling station |
25,558 |
|
Total no. of contesting candidates |
851 |
|
Seats in second phase |
93 out of 182 |
|
Total electors |
2,22,96,867 |
|
No. of crorepati candidates contesting |
199 (24%) |
|
No. of female candidates |
69 |
9:00 AM Elections are being held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts in the northern and central regions.
8:53 AM Rahul Gandhi tweeted: The ushering in of a new Gujarat has already begun. Your one vote will strengthen and empower the foundations of democracy. I appeal to the people of the state to vote more and more for a bright tomorrow.
8:33 AM The betting market, or the satta bazaar as it is commonly called, sees BJP retaining power in the state.
8:29 AM
8:28 AM PM Modi's mother Heeraben arrives to cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar
8:25 AM The EC directed the Gujarat chief electoral officer to lodge FIRs against TV channels came at the end of a frenetic day of political developments marked by the top leaderships of the BJP and Congress targeting each other with allegations of corruption and questions their respective records on issues of national security.
8:25 AM The Congress has protested the EC order on news channels. It alleged that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi violated the model code of conduct by “misusing” the FICCI platform on Wednesday by making it an election speech and demanded FIRs be registered against the PM and other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for violating the guidelines.
8:25 AM Big Blow For Rahul Gandhi
On the eve of the second phase of polling for Gujarat Assembly elections, the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday ordered lodging of FIRs (first information reports) against television news channels for telecasting an interview of Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi. It also served a show cause notice to Rahul Gandhi for violating the election guidelines (model code of conduct).
8:21 AM
The Times Now-VMR survey, released a couple of days after CSDS-ABP, forecast a comfortable majority for the BJP at 106 to 116 seats. The CVoter-TV9 survey also predicted 109 seats for the BJP. The majority mark in the 182 member Gujarat Assembly is 92 seats.
Yadav had then said the Times Now-VMR survey confirmed the “trend” reported by CSDS-ABP. He said the biggest take away from the Times Now-VMR survey was that the BJP’s lead dropped by 10 per cent since October.
8:19 AM
Gujarat polls: BJP might get a rude shock, says Yogendra Yadav
“There was a sharp swing against the BJP in the past few weeks,” and he said, adding: “Unless the trend is dramatically reversed, surveys lead to the same conclusion — defeat for the BJP.”
In a tweet, Yadav said the BJP was “on a solid wicket” in the 39 urban seats. “It can’t lose more than 10 seats [in urban areas].” In semi-urban areas, where it now has 36 seats, it might lose half.
Yadav forecast that the BJP faced a “steady downhill” in the 98 rural seats, where it had trailed the Congress in 2012 Assembly polls, and could now face a rout.
To read the complete story click HERE8:17 AM The voting will continue till 5 pm in more than 25,000 polling stations.
8:17 AM Voting underway in Viramgam's polling booth number 252. This is PAAS leader Hardik Patel 's home town
8:16 AM
8:15 AM
8:14 AM
8:11 AM Hardik Patel's parents pray as voting for second phase of Gujarat elections begins
8:06 AM Voting for 93 seats in second phase of Gujarat Elections 2017 begins
8:00 AM Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said, "Gujarat voters must ignore the diversionary tactics of BJP. Focus on only one thing - vote to change the government after 22 years."
7:59 AM
7:58 AM Voting for second phase of Gujarat Elections 2017 to begin shortly. Visuals from polling booth no. 121 in Mehsana's Kadi
7:56 AM Here are some interesting facts on Gujarat Elections Phase 2
7:55 AM Earlier on December 11, Manmohan Singh quashed the accusation about the former's clandestine meeting with Pakistani officials, and expressed 'anguish' at 'the canards being spread'.
7:53 AM
7:53 AM
The BJP leader had earlier claimed that a meeting took place on December 6 at Aiyar's residence where former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former vice president Hamid Ansari, High Commissioner of Pakistan to India Sohail Mahmood, Khurshid Kasoori, Indian bureaucrats and other officials were present.
"The act is exciting hatred towards the elected government and the person doing it and the persons involved in conspiracy should be booked under Section 124 (A) (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)," Agrawal stated, in his letter to the NIA.
7:52 AM Agrawal, in his letter, has stated it appeared the meeting was held to destabilise the ruling government and affect the ongoing Gujarat Assembly elections as the very next day Congress leaders and the host of the meeting Mani Shankar Aiyar levelled 'Neech Aadmi' remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
7:52 AM Meanwhile, BJP leader and Supreme Court advocate Ajay Agrawal on Wednesday wrote to the NIA requesting them to register an FIR against the Congress leaders and others who attended a meeting with the Pakistani officials.
7:48 AM In the 2012 assembly polls, the BJP won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61.
7:48 AM Meanwhile, repolling will be held tomorrow in two booths of Jamjodhpur constituency, two booths in Una, one in Nijjar, and one in Umargam.
7:47 AM Gujarat elections Phase 1 voter turnout was 68 per cent.
7:47 AM Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will also visit their constituencies to cast their votes.
7:46 AM After a slew of camampaign rallies, Gujarat will cast their vote today in the second-phase of the assembly elections.
7:46 AM
7:45 AM Narendra Modi: Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy.
7:44 AM
7:41 AM Gujarat Elections: The Phase-2 seats where the Congress is not contesting are Morva Hadav, Vadgam and Vaghodia.
7:40 AM The Congress has fielded 90 candidates for the 93 seats that are going to the polls. Overall, the party has fielded 176 candidates in both phases of the polls.
7:39 AM Of the total of 1,815 candidates trying their luck in the Guajarat Assembly election, 851 contestants are in the fray for the second phase.
7:36 AM
7:34 AM The Phase-2 seats where the Congress is not contesting are Morva Hadav, Vadgam and Vaghodia
6:43 AM The Congress, which is contesting the polls in alliance with leaders like Jignesh Mevani, Alpesh Thakor and Hardik Patel, has fielded its own candidates in 90 of the 93 seats.
6:00 AM Here is the full list of the BJP's 93 constituencies (constituency-wise):
|
Phase 2 constituencies |
BJP Candidates |
|
Akota |
Seemaben Akshaykumar Mohile |
|
Amraiwadi |
H. S. Patel |
|
Anand |
Yogesh Patel |
|
Anklav |
Hansakuvarba Janaksinh Raj |
|
Asarwa (SC) |
Parmar Pradipbhai Khanabhai |
|
Balasinor |
Chauhan Mansinh Kohyabhai |
|
Bapunagar |
Rajput Jagrupsinh Girdansinh |
|
Bayad |
Chauhan Adesinh Mansinh |
|
Becharaji |
Patel Rajnikant Somabhai |
|
Bhiloda (ST) |
P.C.Baranda |
|
Borsad |
Ramanbhai Bhikhabhai Solanki |
|
Chanasma |
Dilipkumar Viraji Thakor |
|
Chhota Udaipur (ST) |
Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathwa |
|
Dabhoi |
Shaileshbhai Kanaiyalal |
|
Dahegam |
Balrajsinh Kalyansinh |
|
Dahod (ST) |
Kishori Kanaiyalal Bachubhai |
|
Danilimda (SC) |
Vaghela Jitendra Umakant |
|
Danta (ST) |
Kodarvi Maljibhai Narayanbhai |
|
Dariapur |
Bharat Barot |
|
Daskroi |
Babubhai Jamnadas Patel |
|
Deesa |
Pandya Shashikant Mahobatram |
|
Deodar |
Chauhan Keshaji Shivaji |
|
Devgadhbaria |
Khabad Bachubhai Maganbhai |
|
Dhandhuka |
Dabhi Kalubhai Rupabhai |
|
Dhanera |
Desai Mavjibhai Maganbhai |
|
Dholka |
Bhupendrasinh Manubha Chudasama |
|
Ellisbridge |
Rakesh Shah |
|
Fatepura (ST) |
Katara Rameshbhai Bhurabhai |
|
Gandhinagar North |
Ashokkumar Ranchhodbhai Patel |
|
Gandhinagar South |
Thakor Shambhuji Chelaji |
|
Garbada (ST) |
Bhabhor Mahendrabhai Rameshbhai |
|
Ghatlodia |
Bhupendrabhai Rajnikant |
|
Godhra |
C. K. Raulji |
|
Halol |
Jaydrathsinhji Parmar |
|
Himatnagar |
Rajendrasinh Ranjitsinh Chavda |
|
Idar (SC) |
Kanodiya Hitu |
|
Jamalpur – Khadia |
Bhushan Ashok Bhatt |
|
Jetpur (ST) |
Rathva Jayantibhai Savajibhai |
|
Jhalod (ST) |
Bhuriya Maheshbhai Somjibhai |
|
Kadi (SC) |
Karshanbhai Punjabhai Solanki |
|
Kalol, Gandhinagar |
Dr. Atulbhai K. Patel |
|
Kalol, Panchmahal dist |
Chauhan Sumanben Pravinsinh |
|
Kankrej |
Kirtisinh Prabhatsinh Vaghela |
|
Kapadvanj |
Dabhi Kanubhai Bhulabhai |
|
Karjan |
Satishbhai Motibhai Patel |
|
Khambhat |
Maheshkumar Kanaiyalal Raval |
|
Khedbrahma (ST) |
Ramilaben Bara |
|
Kheralu |
Dabhi Bharatsinhji Shankarji |
|
Limkheda (ST) |
Bhabhor Shaileshbhai Sumanbhai |
|
Lunawada |
Patel Manojkumar Rayajibhai |
|
Mahesana |
Nitinbhai Ratilal Patel |
|
Mahudha |
Bharatsinh Raysingbhai Parmar |
|
Maninagar |
Suresh Patel |
|
Manjalpur |
Yogesh Patel |
|
Mansa |
Amitbhai Harisingbhai Chaudhary |
|
Matar |
Kesarisinh Jesangbhai Solanki |
|
Mehmedabad |
Arjunsinh Udesinh |
|
Modasa |
Parmar Bhikhusinhji Chatursinhji |
|
Morva Hadaf (ST) |
Dindor Vikramsinh Ramsinh |
|
Nadiad |
Pankajbhai Vinubhai(Gotiyo) |
|
Naranpura |
Kaushik Patel |
|
Naroda |
Thawani Balram Khubchand |
|
Nikol |
Jagdish Panchal |
|
Padra |
Dineshbhai Balubhai Patel |
|
Palanpur |
Prajapati Laljibhai Kanjibhai |
|
Patan |
Ranchhodbhai Mahijibhai Desai |
|
Petlad |
C.D.Patel |
|
Prantij |
Gajendrasinh Udesinh Parmar |
|
Radhanpur |
Lavingji Muljiji Thakor |
|
Raopura |
Rajendra Trivedi |
|
Sabarmati |
Arvidkumar Gandabhai Patel |
|
Sanand |
Kanubhai Karamshibhai Patel |
|
Sankheda (ST) |
Abhesinh Motibhai Tadvi |
|
Santrampur (ST) |
Kuberbhai Mansukhbhai |
|
Savli |
Ketanbhai Mahendrabhai |
|
Sayajigunj |
Jitendra Ratilal Sukhadia (Jitubhai) |
|
Shehra |
Jethabhai Ghelabhai |
|
Sidhpur |
Jaynarayan Vyas |
|
Sojitra |
Vipulkumar Vinubhai Patel |
|
Thakkarbapa Nagar |
Kakadiya Vallabhbhai Gobarbhai |
|
Tharad |
Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel |
|
Thasra |
Ramsinh Parmar |
|
Umreth |
Govindbhai Raijibhai Parmar |
|
Unjha |
Narayanbhai Lalludas Patel (Kaka) |
|
Vadgam (SC) |
Chakravarti Vijaykumar Harkhabhai |
|
Vadodara City (SC) |
Manisha Vakil |
|
Vaghodia |
Madhubhai Babubhai |
|
Vatva |
Pradipsinh Bhagvatsinh Jadeja |
|
Vav |
Shankarbhai Lagdhirbhai Chaudhary |
|
Vejalpur |
Kishor Babulal Chauhan |
|
Vijapur |
Ramanbhai Dhulabhai Patel |
|
Viramgam |
Dr. Tejshriben Dilipkumar Patel |
|
Visnagar |
Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel |
5:59 AM For today's phase of polling, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of which Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had been a star campaigner in both phases, has fielded its candidates in all 93 seats
5:57 AM After the second and final phase of the Assembly elections, after a high-voltage political campaign that ended on Tuesday evening, all eyes will be on the exit poll predictions to be out today evening.
5:54 AM
Here is the full list of constituencies that will vote in today;s second phase of polling:
Ahmedabad district: Viramgam, Sanand, Ghatlodia, Vejalpur, Vatva, Ellisbridge, Naranpura, Nikol, Naroda, Thakkarbapa Nagar, Bapunagar, Amraiwadi, Dariapur, Jamalpur – Khadia, Maninagar, Danilimda (SC), Sabarmati, Asarwa (SC), Daskroi, Dholka, Dhandhuka
Banaskantha district: Vav, Tharad, Dhanera, Danta (ST), Vadgam (SC), Palanpur, Deesa, Deodar, Kankrej
Patan district: Radhanpur, Chanasma, Patan, Sidhpur
Mahesana district: Kheralu, Unjha, Visnagar, Becharaji, Kadi (SC), Mahesana, Vijapur
Sabarkantha district: Himatnagar, Idar (SC), Khedbrahma (ST) , Prantij
Arvalli district: Bhiloda (ST), Modasa, Bayad
Gandhinagar district: Dahegam , Gandhinagar South , Gandhinagar North, Mansa, Kalol
Anand district: Khambhat , Borsad, Anklav, Umreth, Anand, Petlad, Sojitra
Kheda district: Matar, Nadiad, Mehmedabad, Mahudha, Thasra, Kapadvanj
Mahisagar district: Balasinor, Lunawada, Santrampur (ST)
Panchmahal district: Shehra, Morva Hadaf (ST), Godhra, Kalol, Halol
Dahod district: Fatepura (ST), Jhalod (ST), Limkheda (ST), Dahod (ST), Garbada (ST), Devgadhbaria
Vadodara district: Savli, Vaghodia, Dabhoi, Vadodara City (SC), Sayajigunj, Akota, Raopura, Manjalpur, Padra, Karjan
Chhota Udepur district: Chhota Udaipur (ST), Jetpur (ST), Sankheda (ST)
5:46 AM The six booths that will be voting again are Dhunda and Manpar booths in Jam Jodhpur Assembly seat; Bandharda and Gangda in the Una constituency; Chorwad in Nizar constituency and Chanod in Umargaon constituency.
5:46 AM Simultaneiously with the seats where polling will take place in phase 2, the six polling booths from the first phase where the Election Commission of India has ordered repolling will also vote
5:46 AM Gujarat had seen the first phase of polling on December 9, when the south Gujarat and Saurashtra regions for voted in the Gujarat assembly election 2017.
5:45 AM Key candidates in Phase 2 elections are the Congress party's Alpesh Thakor, contesting from Radhanpur seat; BJP's Dy CM Nitin Patel, from Mehesana; Dalit candidate Jignesh Mevani, contesting independently from Vadgam; and former Gujarat Congress President Siddharth Patel, contesting from Dabhoi seat
5:45 AM Tthe Jhalod seat has the fewest candidates -- only 2
5:44 AM In the second phase polling, the seat with the highest number of contesting candidates is Mahesana, with 34 candidates trying their luck from this constituency
5:44 AM These 28,114 EVMs are being used at 25,558 polling stations
5:43 AM According to the Election Commission of India, 28,114 EVMs are being used in today's second phase of polling
5:42 AM 199 candidates, or 24% of the 851 contesting in today's phase, are candidates with more than Rs 1 crore worth of total assets
5:40 AM The first phase of polling in 89 seats on December 9 had seen a 68% voter turnout
5:40 AM The 93 constituencies going to the polls today have a total of 222,96,867 electors
5:39 AM A total of 851 candidates, including 69 women are in the fray for today's Phase of of polling
5:38 AM On December 18, the result to the Humachal Pradesh Assembly election 2017 will also be announced
5:38 AM The counting of votes for both phases and the announcememnt of the result to the Gujarat Assembly election 2017 will take place on December 18
5:37 AM The remaining 89 seats had gone to the polls in the first phase held on December 9
5:36 AM 93 of Gujarat's 182 constituencies will be voting as part of the second phase of polling
5:35 AM The second phase of polling in Gujarat election 2017 will take place from 8 am today
First Published: Thu, December 14 2017. 13:56 IST
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