Gujarat election results 2017 LIVE: You may not like BJP, but don’t derail progress, says Narendra Modi

PM Narendra Modi addresses a felicitation function before BJP’s parliamentary board meeting in New Delhi on Monday, after the party’s win in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections. Photo: PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has retained power in Gujarat for the record sixth time, as the party has won 95 seats and leading in four. The Congress has won 75 seats and leading on two, improving its seat tally from 2012 elections. The Election Commission has so far declared results for 175 seats.

ALSO READ: For whom the bell tolls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh

The Gujarat election results are expected to have a bearing on the 2019 elections as PM Narendra Modi had come to power in 2014 based on the Gujarat “model of development”. The polls are also a litmus test for Rahul Gandhi, who just three days ago took charge as the Congress president.

Click here for constituency-wise map for Gujarat election results

Here are the latest updates and developments of Gujarat election results:

■ Finance minister Arun Jaitley, BJP general secretary Saroj Pandey will go as observers to discuss leadership in Gujarat, says union minister J.P. Nadda.

■ Gujarat deputy CM Nitin Patel retains Mehsana seat

Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel retained his Patidar-dominated Mehsana seat, defeating his Congress rival Jivabhai Patel. After trailing initially, Nitin Patel finally emerged victorious, humbling Jivabhai Patel by a margin of 7,137 votes. The deputy chief minister secured 90,235 votes against 83,098 votes polled by his nearest Congress rival. Mehsana was the epicentre of the 2015 Patidar quota agitation. (PTI)

■ Congress is the real winner in Gujarat: Shiv Sena

After BJP retained Gujarat on Monday, its ally Shiv Sena said it was the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress which had emerged as the “real winner” in the election. Coming to power was no “big thing”, Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, adding that the Congress might have lost the polls, but had “defeated” the BJP. “Although you see the BJP coming to power, the real winner is the Congress They may have lost, but have defeated the BJP,” Raut said. (PTI)

■ Although the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained power in Gujarat, it lost the Unjha constituency in Mehsana district, which includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hometown Vadnagar, to Congress. Congress candidate Asha Patel defeated BJP nominee and sitting MLA Narayan Patel with a comfortable margin of over 19,000 votes to win the Unjha seat. read more

■ After 2014, there is hunger for development. Even if you do not like BJP, do not try to derail the progress being made towards development: PM Narendra Modi

■ So many conspiracies were hatched in Gujarat by Congress, misinformation was being spread. People cannot bear if anyone makes fun of ‘vikas’, says PM Narendra Modi. (ANI)

■ “In Gujarat, BJP won all the seats it contested in 1989 Lok Sabha elections. We won most of the seats we contested in 1990. In 1995, in 1998, in 2002, in 2007 and in 2012 we won. We won most seats in Lok Sabha polls too,” says PM Modi. (ANI)

■ Gujarat election results are historic. In this day and age, for a party to keep winning for so long, says PM Narendra Modi in Delhi. (ANI)

■ PM Modi says “so many conspiracies were hatched in Gujarat by Congress, misinformation was being spread. People cannot bear if anyone makes fun of ‘vikas’. After 2014, there is hunger for development. Even if you do not like BJP, do not try to derail the progress being made towards development. 30 years back, poison of caste was spread so badly in Gujarat that it took workers like me 30 years to get rid of it. In last few months there were attempts again to sow seeds of casteism, but people rejected it, I congratulate them, but people must be alert.”

■ PM Modi says, “Support for BJP shows the nation is ready for reform agenda and every citizen wants India transformed. For me, Gujarat polls are a matter of double joy. I am so happy that after I left the state, my colleagues there continued the good work.”

■ PM Narendra Modi: “Gujarat election results are historic. In this day and age, for a party to keep winning for so long. In Gujarat, BJP won all the seats it contested in 1989 Lok Sabha polls. We won most of the seats we contested in 1990. In 1995, in 1998, in 2002, in 2007 and in 2012 we won. We won most seats in Lok Sabha polls too.”

■ PM Modi addressing BJP workers at the party headquarters. Modi says, “during UP elections it was said BJP would lose due to GST effect in urban areas, same was said in Gujarat elections and local body polls in Maharashtra. The results in Himachal Pradesh show that if you don’t do development and are embroiled in all wrong acts then after 5 years people will not accept you. Recent elections results have proven that the country is ready for reform, is looking towards things that perform in a positive way and believes in transformation.”

■ The CPI(M) today said discontent of the people of Gujarat against the BJP could have been channelised effectively if there was a credible opposition, while the CPI said the saffron party’s rule was being challenged. In a statement released today, the CPI(M) criticised the BJP, saying there was nothing to celebrate as compared to 115 seats the BJP won last time, this verdict was a “big fall from the Mission 150 declared by BJP chief Amit Shah”. (PTI)

■ BJP reaches half way mark, 1 seat short of majority in Gujarat, according to Election Commission tally. (PTI)

ALSO READ: Five takeaways from Election Results 2017

■ BJP President Amit Shah and other leaders felicitate PM Narendra Modi at BJP HQ in Delhi as party celebrates Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh win. PM Modi earlier arrived at the party headquarters and was received by Shah and others.

■ Akota: BJP’s Seemaben Akshaykumar Mohile wins against Congress’ Ranjit Sharadchandra Chavan by a margin of 57,139.

■ Gujarat election results show people’s faith in agenda of development: Vijay Rupani

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani today said the BJP’s victory in the assembly elections showed people’s “unshakable faith in the agenda of development, caste-less and classless society”. “I acknowledge with humility people’s verdict who have voted for @BJP4India and reposed faith in the politics of good governance—a dominant theme flourished by @narendramodi on the Indian political landscape,” Rupani tweeted. “Abhar Gujarat (Thank you Gujarat)! It’s the victory of the people of Gujarat, their unshakable faith in the agenda of development, casteless & classless society. We are indeed blessed! And promise to live up to the expectations more than ever before,” he said.

Rupani also thanked the people of Rajkot from where he won by over 54,000 votes. “I heartily thank my trustworthy voters of Rajkot for reposing trust & confidence. I am humbled by this victory. Thank you RAJKOT,” he said in another tweet. (PTI)

■ BJP’s win in Gujarat elections a moral defeat for the party, a temporary and face-saving win, says West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee. (PTI)

Congresss performance in Gujarat elections under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is a moral victory for party, says Ashok Gehlot. (PTI)

■ Election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh indicate a strong support for politics of good governance and development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday as trends showed that the BJP was inching towards victory in the two states. “I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly,” he said in a series of tweets.

He also said the results proved that there is a strong support for “politics of good governance and development”. “I salute the hardworking BJP karyakartas (workers) in these states for their hard work which has led to these impressive victories,” he said. (PTI)

■ As per poll outcome so far, voting percentage in favour of BJP in Gujarat has gone up to 49.10% from 47.85% in 2012. Poll outcome is victory of performance and development against political dynasty, says BJP president Amit Shah. (PTI)

■ BJP president Amit Shah addressing mediapersons at party headquarters in Delhi, says BJP’s victory in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat elections is a victory of PM Narendra Modi’s development agenda and against the politics of casteism and appeasement. (PTI)

Bhavnagar East: BJP’s Vibhavari Dave wins against Congress’s Nitaben Babubhai Rathod by a margin of 22,442 of votes, the EC website shows.

Bhavnagar West: BJP’s Jitendrabhai Savajibhai Vaghani (Jitu Vaghani) wins against Congress’s Dilipsinh Ajitsinh Gohil by a margin of 27,185 votes.

Chanasma: BJP’s Dilipkumar Viraji Thakor wins against Congress’ Raghubhai Merajbhai Desai by a margin of 8,234 of votes, the EC website shows.

Chhota Udaipur: Congress’s Mohansinh Chhotubhai Rathava wins against BJP’s Jashubhai Bhilubhai Rathwa by a margin of 1,093 votes, the EC website shows.

Choryasi: BJP’s Hiteshkumar Zankhana Patel wins against Congress’s Yogesh Bhagwan Patel by a huge margin of 11,0819 of votes.

Chotila: Congress’s Rutvikbhai Lavjibhai Makwana against BJP’s Zinabhai Najabhai Dervaliya by a margin of 23,887, the EC website shows.

Dangs: Congress’s Mangalbhai Gangajibhai Gavit against BJP’s Vijaybhai Rameshbhai Patel by a margin of 768 votes.

■ Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani wins Vadgam seat by defeating BJP candidate Vijay Chakravarti by 19,696 votes,Gujarat election results put out by EC shows. Read more

■ BJP lead back at 100 seats mark, Congress ahead on 76 seats, Gujarat election results put out by the Election Commission shows.

■ Amreli: Congress’s Paresh Dhanani wins against Bavkubhai Undhad by a margin of 12,029, the EC website shows.

■ Anjar: BJP’s Ahir Vasanbhai Gopalbhai wins against Congress’s V.K. Humbal by a margin of 11,313 votes, the EC website shows.

■ Anklav: Congress’s Amit Chavda wins against BJP’s Hansakuvarba Janaksinh Raj by a huge margin of 33,629 votes, the EC website shows.

■ “I express my gratitude to the people of Vadgam for all their support. Now I will raise the voice of Gujarat’s discriminated sections in the assembly,” says Jignesh Mevani who is leading by 19696 votes from Vadgam. (ANI)

■ BJP president Amit Shah to brief the media at 3.30 pm.

■ Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar has congratulated his Gujarat counterpart Vijay Rupani for winning his Rajkot West seat. The BJP leader retained the Rajkot West seat by defeating his nearest rival Indranil Rajyaguru of the Congress by a margin of 54,300 votes. Parrikar took to Twitter to congratulate Rupani soon after the counting trends showed the BJP is heading towards retaining power in the state. “Congratulations to CM @vijayrupanibjp for an impressive victory in Rajkot West,” said Parrikar. (PTI)

ALSO READ: What Gujarat election results mean for business, economy, reforms and markets

■ BJP’s lead has come down to 99 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 77 seats, according to the EC website. BJP has so far won 22 seats, while the Congress has registered victory in 18 seats. NCP has won one seat, while the Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP) has won one seat. Others are leading in three seats.

■ Jambusar: Congress’ Sanjaybhai Jesangbhai Solanki defeated BJP’s Chhatrasinhji Poojabhai Mori by 6,412 votes, according to the EC website.

■ Gondal: BJP’s sitting MLA Jadeja Geetaba Jayrajsinh reatined his votes with a vote margin of 15,397 votes. His nearest rival from the Congress was Khatariya Arjunbhai Ghanshyambhai, according to the EC website.

■ Union minister N. Sitharaman: “Undoubtedly, a major victory. The kind of work which Party workers have done right from booth workers level till PM’s level, everybody put their best foot forward and both Gujarat & Himachal Pradesh have recognised the good work going on in the name of development.” (ANI)

■ Chief Minister Vijay Rupani wins from Rajkot West seat by a huge margin of 54,300 votes over his Congress rival Indranil Rajyaguru. Read more

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has won from Rajkot West seat by a huge margin of 54,300 votes. Photo: Abhijit Bhatlekar/Mint

■ Former CEC T. S. Krishnamurthy said today that electronic voting machines (EVMs) are the “real winner” in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections and their “bashing” should stop now. When asked over the remarks in some quarters that the EVMs are the “real winner”, as results of the two assembly elections are being declared, he said, “I agree.” Read more (PTI)

■ Union minister Rajnath Singh flashes victory sign outside Parliament as trends indicate BJP’s victory in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. “Abhi toh kuch nahi bolunga kyunki woh haal hi mein adhyaksh bane hain lekin ‘sar mundwate hi ole pade’,” he said outside the parliament.

■ Chief minister Yogi Adityanath says BJP’s performance was a victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies. “Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh results are a lesson to those who forget political courtesy and indulge in unparliamentary language. Those raising question mark on the Prime Minister will now have to accept his leadership. We, on behalf of the people of UP congratulate Modiji and Amit Shahji. It’s victory of economic reforms. Modi’s leadership has established country economically. Those who raised questions on Gujarat model should now look at the results. It’s victory of policies of Modiji. We will also win other Congress strongholds. By showing ‘janeu’ (sacred thread), Rahul Gandhi showed casteist, divisive and despicable thinking.” (PTI)

■ Padra: BJP’s sitting MLA Patel Dineshbhai Balubhai couldn’t manage to save his seat. Congress leader Thakor Jashpalsinh Mahendrasinh won by 19,027 votes, according to the EC.

■ Petlad: Sitting Congress MLA Niranjan Patel managed to retain his seat by defeating Chandrakant Dahyabhai Patel by 10,644 votes, according to the EC.

■ Surat North: BJP’s Balar Kantibhai Himmatbhai won against Congress leader Kachhadiya Dineshbhai Manubhai by 20,022 votes, according to the EC.

■ Valsad: BJP’s Bharatbhai Kikubhai Patel retained his seat by defeating Congress’ Tandel Narendrakumar Jagubhai by a heavy margin of 43,092 votes, according to the EC.

■ Dahod: Congress MLA Panada Vajesingbhai Parsingbhai retained his seat. He won by a margin of 15,503 votes against his nearest rival Kishori Kanaiyalal Bachubhai of BJP, according to the EC.

■ Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam today said the BJP’s victory in Gujarat was not because of the people in the state but because of EVMs. He also termed electronic voting machines a “big threat to Indian democracy”. (PTI)

■ Dariapur: Congressman Sk. Gyasuddin Habibuddeen won against BJP’s Bharat Barot by 6,187 votes, according to the EC.

■ Nadiad: BJP’s Desai Pankajbhai Vinubhai won against Congress leader Jitendra Suryakantbhai Patel by a heavy margin of 20,838 votes, according to the EC

■ Navsari: BJP’s Piyushbhai Dinkerbhai Desai wins against Congress’ Bhavnaben Anilbhai Patel by a heavy margin of 46,095, according to the EC, according to the EC

■ Mangrol: BJP’s Vasava Ganpatsinh Vestabhai wins against Congress’ Vasava Nansingbhai Nandariabhai by a heavy margin of 40,799, according to the EC.

■ Mahuva: BJP’s Makwana Raghavbhai Chondabhai wins against independent candidate Dr. Kanubhai V. Kalsaria by a margin of 5,009 votes, according to the EC website.

■ Borsad: Congress’ Parmar Rajendrasinh Dhirsinhwins against BJP’s Ramanbhai Bhikhabhai Solanki by a marging of 11,468 votes, according to the EC website.

■ Tankara: Congress’ Kagathara Lalitbhai defeated BJP’s Raghavajibhai Jivarajbhai Gadara by 29,770 votes.

■ Congress president Rahul Gandhi reaches parliament. The Congress has so far won two seats, according to the EC website, while it is leading on 72 seats. BJP is leading in 96 seats and it has so far won 6 seats.

■ In Banaskantha, another Patel bastion, BJP is leading in Vav, Tharad, Deesa and Deodar, while the Congress leads in Dhanera, Danta, Palanpur assembly constituencies, reports Shaswati Das for livemint. The saffron party is also leading across Patel bastion Rajkot (Rural, South, East and West), BJP’s CM Vijay Rupani continues to lead in Rajkot West, Das adds.

■ Umbergaon: BJP’s Patkar Ramanlal Nanubhai defeats Congressman Patel Ashokbhai Mohnabhai by a heavy margin of 41,690 votes, according to the EC.

■ Celebrations broke out at the Gujarat BJP headquarters ‘Kamalam’ in Gandhinagar today as soon as the trends suggested that the ruling party was poised for a victory in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state. Party supporters gathered in large numbers at the office and distributed sweets among themselves. On the other hand, only a few people could be seen at the Congress headquarters in Ahmedabad. The BJP supporters, waiving the saffron flag and donning the party cap, greeted each other over the impending victory of the party which is set to retain power for the sixth term in a row. Read more (PTI)

■ Union minister Smriti Irani: “It is a matter of happiness for us, this is the victory of development. Jo jeeta wohi sikandar. It is victory of every booth worker’s hard work & the people who trusted development.” (ANI)

■ Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath: “People have rejected divisive politics of Congress, this win is due to the dynamic leadership of BJP and the hard work of BJP workers. Maine pehle hi kaha tha ki Congress ka netritve badalna BJP ke liye shubh sanket hoga.” (ANI)

■ In Maninagar, which used to be Narendra Modi’s seat when he was the chief minister, BJP’s Sureshbhai Dhanjibhai Patel aka Suresh Patel defeated Congress leader Brahmbhatt Shwetaben Narendrabhai, according to the EC.

■ BJP is ahead in 108 seats while the Congress is leading in 72 constituencies in Gujarat elections. Others and independents are leading in two seats, reports NDTV.

Mahudha: Congress candidate Indrajitsinh Natvarsinh Parmar defeated BJP’s Bharatsinh Raysingbhai Parmar by 13,601 votes, according to the EC website.

■ The Shiv Sena today said the people were not happy with the BJP in Gujarat, going by the trends of the Gujarat assembly election counting. “We (the BJP) came to power in the country by citing the much-touted ‘Gujarat model’ (of development). If people in Gujarat are not happy (with the BJP) today, then understand their psyche, understand what people in the country feel,” Sena MP Sanjay Raut said. “The (BJP should) understand the mindset of people of Gujarat (and) the reason the people there are not happy,” he said. (PTI)

■ The Lok Sabha today witnessed noisy scenes amid sloganeering from both sides of the House, leading to adjournment of the proceedings till noon. (PTI)

■ MoS PMO Jitendra Singh: “Gujarat elections are an endorsement for GST and demonetisation. It is a vote for vikas and Vishvas.” (AIR)

■ Congress leader Ashok Gehlot today said he saw the results as a “victory” for the party due to the response its chief Rahul Gandhi’s campaign got from the people. Gehlot, the Congress election in-charge for Gujarat, said Gandhi ran a nice campaign in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The way the Congress campaigned and the way Rahul Gandhi did bus trips, we put up a very nice campaign. Whatever the results, the country will see this as the Congress’ victory,” Gehlot said. “Through the campaigning and manifesto, we have been successful in reflecting the feelings of the people of Gujarat and we believe we have been successful in that,” he said. (PTI)

■ From Porbandar constituency, BJP’s Babubhai Bhimabhai Bokhiriya wins against Congress candidate Arjunbhai Devabhai Modhvadiya by a margin of 1,855 votes, shows the Election Commission website.

■ NOTA and Independents have 767, 672 votes, better than the number of votes polled by several parties, including the BSP and the NCP. Read more

■ BJP vice president Shyam Jaju: “We have set a record in the history of the BJP by winning six consecutive polls: four assembly and two general elections. Anti-incumbency is not working there. The prime minister’s popularity is intact. Amit Shah’s strategy has worked. (PTI)

■ The BJP today said the poll trends in its favour indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity was intact in his home state Gujarat and it was on its way to form government with a “comfortable majority”. BJP leaders said their party would “retain” power notwithstanding the opposition and the aggressive campaign by the Congress, particularly its new president Rahul Gandhi. It attributed the favourable trends to its Gujarat development model as the anti-incumbency factor had “failed”. The saffron party, however, said it will analyse the trends in detail later. (PTI)

■ BJP is leading in 104 seats while the Congress is ahead in 76 seats, reports NDTV at 11.25am. In two seats, candidates from other parties or independents are leading, it adds.

BJP’s Arvind Raiyani leading by 21,000 votes on Rajkot east seat, reports Tv9 Gujarati. Congress’ Shaktisinh Gohil trailing on Mandvi assembly seat; Congress’ Anil Joshiyara leading by 11,000 votes on Bhiloda seat; BJP’s Suresh Patel leading by 58,000 votes on Maninagar assembly seat, Tv9 Gujarati reports.

ALSO READ: Gujarat elections: Alpesh Thakor is much more than a clueless dynast

■ Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has secured an unassailable lead over Congress’s Indranil Rajyaguru in Rajkot West seat.

■ Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 pm over uproar by opposition and ruling members. (AIR)

■ Modi flashes victory sign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flashed a victory sign after he arrived in Parliament, as the BJP pulled ahead of the Congress in trends for Himachal and Gujarat election results.

Though early trends showed a close fight between the BJP and the Congress in Gujarat, the ruling party marched ahead of its rival as counting of votes progressed. The BJP also appeared set to wrest power from the Congress Himachal Pradesh. The prime minister showed a victory sign after he arrived in Parliament to attend the winter session. Parliament re-convened today after the weekend break. (PTI)

■ BJP workers celebrate at party headquarters, as trends indicate BJP’s victory in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, reports ANI.

BJP’s Pradipsinh Jadeja leading by 30,000 votes on Vatva seat; BJP’s Nitin Patel leading by 2,481 votes on Mehsana assembly seat; BJP’s Yogesh Patel leading by 23,000 votes on Manjalpur assembly seat; BJP’s Jaynarayan Vyas trailing on Sidhdhpur assembly seat; BJP’s Suresh Patel leading by 58,000 votes on Maninagar assembly seat, reports Tv9 Gujarati.

ALSO READ: Gujarat elections: Moment of reckoning for deputy CM Nitin Patel

■ Independent candidate Jignesh Mevani leading by 10785 in Vadgam, Vijay Rupani leading by 21,000 votes in Rajkot West. (ANI)

■ BJP ally Shiv Sena heaped praise on Rahul Gandhi, lauding the newly appointed Congress president for “fighting the Gujarat elections without bothering about the result”. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party said the 47-year-old Amethi MP has taken over the reins of the Congress at a crucial stage. “Rahul Gandhi has accepted the responsibility as Congress president at a crucial stage. There should be no objection in wishing him all the best,” said an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana. “Let Rahul Gandhi decide if he wishes to take the Congress party to the pinnacle of success or down the pit,” the Marathi daily said. (PTI)

■ The BJP has cornered 49.2% of the votes cast in Gujarat elections while the Congress has a vote share of 41, according to Election Commission data.

■ “Will form government in both Himachal and Gujarat with clear majority,” says home minister Rajnath Singh outside Parliament. (ANI)

■ The BJP is leading in 107 seats while the Congress nominees are ahead in 74 seats, according to trends for all seats for Gujarat elections, reports NDTV.

■ BJP’s Kumar Kanani leading on Varachha seat; BJP’s Vijay Rupani leading by 15,000 votes on Rajkot west assembly seat; BJP’s Jitu Vaghani trailing by 900 votes on Bhavnagar west seat; BJP’s Ramanlal Vora leading by 700 votes on Dasada seat; BJP’s Vallabh Kakadiya leading by 4,000 votes on Thakkarbapanagar assembly seat; BJP’s Tejshriben Patel leading on Viramgam seat, reports Tv9 Gujarati. Viramgam is reportedly the native place of Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel, it adds.

■ EC trends out for 141 seats: BJP leading in 77 seats (48.4% vote share) where as Congress leading in 59 seats (42.8% vote share). NCP leading in 1, Bharatiya Tribal Party (which is a Congress ally) in 2 and independents leading in 2 seats, reports Anuja for livemint.

■ Jignesh Mewani ahead in vadgam by 6000 votes, Divya Bhaskar reports.

Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani is contesting from Vadgam. Photo: Hindustan Times

■ BJP leads in 107 seats and Congress in 72, and others in 3 seat, reports NDTV.

■ Congress’ Sidhdharth Patel trailing by 5,000 votes on Dabhoi seat; BJP’s Rajni Patel trailing on Bechraji seat; BJP’s Vijay Rupani leading by 10,000 votes on Rajkot west assembly seat, Tv9 Gujarati.

EC trends out for 141 seats: BJP leading in 77 seats (48.4% vote share) where as Congress leading in 59 seats (42.8% vote share). NCP leading in 1, Bharatiya Tribal Party (which is a Congress ally) in 2 and independents leading in 2 seats, reports Anuja for livemint.

■ BJP is currently leading in 108 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 71 seats, reports NDTV as of 10.04am.

Gujarat elections initial trends is a big welcome gift for the challenger, Rahul Gandhi, the newly crowned Congress president; in fact, today is only his third day in the job. Read more

■ BJP’s CM VijayRupani leading by 7,816 votes on Rajkot west assembly seat; Congress’ Pushpaben Dabhi leading on Sanand assembly seat; BJP’s Nitin Patel leading by 3,000 votes on Mehsana assembly seat; BJP’s Bhushan Bhatt trailing by 20,000 votes on Jamalpur-Khadiya seat, reports Tv9 Gujarati.

BJP leads in 77 Assembly seats, Congress in 59, and others in 5, according to trends available for 141 seats in Gujarat. (PTI)

■ As of 9.30AM, Congress is gaining in at least 26 seats where BJP has a sitting MLA, could point out to anti-incumbency being a factor, reports Anuja for livemint.

■ Vijay Rupani leading by 7,600 votes from Rajkot West, at the end of Counting round 3.

■ BJP leads in 65 Assembly seats, Congress in 56, and others on two, according to trends available for 123 seats in Gujarat. (PTI)

■ Tv9Gujarati reports Congress’ Alpesh Thakor leading by 3,150 votes on Radhanpur seat; BJP’s Harsh Sanghvi leading on Majura seat; Congress’ Chhatrasinh Mori leading on Jambusar seat; Congress’ Shaktisinh Gohil trailing by 3,300 votes on Mandvi seat; BJP’s Vijay Rupani leading by 7,000 votes on Rajkot west assembly seat.

■ Congress’ Ashok Gahlot says ‘wait-and-watch’ on the Congress party making major gains in Gujarat.

■ BJP leads on 56 seats, Congress on 50, NCP on 1, Bhartiya Tribal Party 1 and independent on 1, as per trends available for 109 seats in Gujarat. (PTI)

■ BJP leads in 97 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 82 seats, according to NDTV. The BJP is at a loss of 16 seats, while the Congress has gained 21 seats, according to the channel.

■ EC trends out for 89 seats: BJP leading in 48 seats (48.6% vote share) where as Congress leading in 40 seats (43.9% vote share), NCP is leading in 1 (0.7% vote share), reports Anuja for livemint.

■ BJP’s Nitinbhai Patel trailing by over 3,000 votes from Mahesana, reports ANI. Meanwhile, Sensex down by 600.51 points, currently at 32,862.46. Nifty at 10,134.35. Catch for live updates from the markets.

■ Gujarat chief minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani is trailing behind Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru from Rajkot West, as per the initial trends. Rajyaguru secured 1,258 votes while Rupani got 491 votes after the end of first round of counting, as per election officials at the counting centre. (PTI)

■ The BJP and the Congress were neck and neck in the early trends for Gujarat Assembly polls after one hour of counting of votes. (PTI)

■ EC trends: BJP leading on 24 seats, Congress on 21.

Congress’ Arjun Modhwadia trailing by 989 from Porbandar, reports ANI.

■ BJP leads in 91 seats, Congress in 79 and others in 1 seat, reports NDTV.

■ EC official trends for Gujarat Election 2017 shows BJP now leading on 20 seats, Congress on 9, Others 2. Congress’ Shaktisinh Gohil trailing by 1,300 votes from Kutch’s Mandvi, while chief minister Vijay Rupani trails by 800 votes from Rajkot West. BJP’s Nitin Bhai Patel is leading by 594 votes from Mahesana. (ANI)

Livemint’s Anuja reports: EC trends out for 35 seats in Gujarat: BJP leading in 17 (48% vote share), Congress in 18 (45.8% vote share). BJP is trailing in incumbent seats of Anand, Bhavnagar East, Bhavnagar West and Talaja as Congress is gaining in these seats.

■ BJP leads on 74 seats, while the Congress is ahead on 70 seats, Gujarat election results show. (NDTV)

■ BJP leads on 12 seats and Congress on 8 in Gujarat polls as initial trends pour in. (PTI)

■ BJP leading in 6 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 3 seats out of 9 constituencies of 182 seats in Gujarat, the Election Commission website says.

Congress leading in one seat of Mandvi and Nadiad where as BJP in Bhavnagar East and Porbandar seats, reports Anuja for livemint.

■ BJP is leading in 74 seats, while the Congress leads in 42 seats, reports NDTV.

■ BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain: “BJP will come to power with huge majority in Gujarat & #HimachalPradesh, ” reports DD News.

■ EVMs opened by officials at counting centre set up in Ahmedabad’s Gujarat College, reports ANI. Counting of votes continues, it adds.

■ Congress leads in Danilimda, reports NDTV. The party held the seat in 2012. BJP leads in Kheralu, it adds.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is leading from Rajkot West assembly seat, reports Tv9 Gujarati.

BJP leads in Jetpur, in Saurashtra, reports NDTV. The seat was held by the Congress in 2012.

■ BJP’s Pradipsinh Jadeja leads in Vatva, reports NDTV. BJP is leading in 44 seats, while the Congress is leading in 12, reports the channel at 8.27am.

BJP’s Jitu Vaghani of BJP is leading from Bhavnagar West, reports Tv9Gujarati.

■ Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AK Joti: “I assure you that there can be no tampering with the EVMs. Questions being raised about EVMs have already been answered by us in the media. VVPATs were there in every polling stations in Gujarat, which enabled voters to see whom they voted for, so issues being raised aren’t right. I assure that EVMS cannot be tampered with.” (ANI)

■ The main contestants from the BJP are Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani (Rajkot West), deputy chief minister Nitin Patel (Mehsana) and state BJP unit president Jitu Vaghani (Bhavnagar West). The main contenders from the Congress are Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi), Arjun Modhvadia (Porbandar), Siddharth Patel (Dabhoi), and Paresh Dhanai (Amreli). OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, who joined the Congress ahead of polls is fighting from Radhanpur seat, while Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani is contesting from Vadgam.

In the 2012 polls, the BJP had won 115 seats and the Congress 61 seats, while others and independents had bagged six seats. (PTI)

■ At 8.22am, NDTV reports BJP leading in 34 seats, while the Congress is ahead in 8 seats.

■ At 8.13am, NDTV reports BJP leads in 14 seats, while the Congress is ahead on 2 seats. BJP leads in Deesa North, Anjar in Saurashtra and Dahegam North, it adds.

■ Surat police commissioner Satish Kumar Sharma to ANI: “Tight security arrangements have been made, police personnel adequately stationed across the region.”

■ First lead: BJP leads in Anjar, Saurashtra, reports NDTV. The saffron party also eads in Dahegam, North, reports the channel.

■ Counting of votes begins for Gujarat assembly elections with ballot boxes brought in at the EC centre in Ahmedabad, reports ANI. Officials at counting centre set up in Ahmedabad’s Gujarat College open ballot boxes as counting of votes begins.

■ Gujarat’s chief electoral officer B.B. Swain said, “The counting of votes will begin at 8am with counting of postal ballots. The counting of votes cast their Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will commence at 8:30 am once postal ballots have been counted. Initial trends about the winners are likely to emerge within two hours of the counting, and a clear picture is expected by noon.”

The counting of votes will take place in 182 halls across the 37 counting centres. In each hall, there will be 14 tables for the counting.

“On each table, there will be once counting supervisor, one counting assistant, and one micro-observer. In addition, Election Commission has appointed one observer for each constituency,” he said.

As many as 10,000 counting staff and 8,000 support staff have been deployed for counting of votes. More than 25,000 security personnel will be on guard during counting of votes.

■ Supporters perform ‘Hawan’ outside Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s residence in Delhi ahead of counting of votes, set to begin shortly, reports ANI.

■ BJP office in Gandhinagar ahead of counting of votes for all 182 assembly seats in Gujarat elections.

■ Preparations on amid high security ahead of counting of votes at Surat. Counting of votes to start at 8am at 37 centres across the state’s 33 districts amid tight security.

■ 6.00 am: Counting of votes for Gujarat election results will begin at 8 am at 37 centres across the state’s 33 districts amid tight security.

■ Over 70% voter turnout in re-polling

More than 70% voter turnout was recorded in the re-polling held on Sunday at six polling booths in four constituencies of Gujarat, said officials. Following Election Commission’s directive, polling was held at two booths each in Vadgam and Savli constituencies and one each in Viramgam and Daskroi constituencies. While the Chhaniyana-1 and 2 booths of the Vadgam seat clocked a 74%and 73% voter turnout, respectively, booth number 27 in Viramgam recorded an 83% turnout, said Gujarat CEC B.B. Swain. Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani is contesting from the Vadgam (SC) seat as an Independent candidate supported by the Congress.

Earlier, Gujarat recorded an average 68.41% polling in the two-phase assembly elections, the Election Commission (EC) said on Friday.

■ EC withdraws notice to Rahul Gandhi over TV interviews

In a relief to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday night withdrew its order against him over a prima facie violation of model code of conduct (MCC) on the grounds that he gave television interviews one day before second phase of Gujarat elections.

Additionally, the EC formed a committee to examine the provisions of Section 126 of Representation of People’s Act, which deals with prohibition of public meetings, displaying or propagating election-related matter 48 hours ending with hour fixed for conclusion of the poll. Read more

■ EVM criticism due to fear of defeat: Nitish Kumar

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said that EVMs have helped making elections “transparent and impartial” and those criticizing them were doing so out of the fear of defeat. Kumar’s observation came a day before the counting of votes for Himachal and Gujarat elections, and in the backdrop of allegations of EVM tampering in Gujarat to favour the BJP.

“Some may criticize the EVMs out of fear of defeat, but the EVMs have made elections transparent and impartial. Now, nobody can deprive anybody of the right to cast votes,” Kumar, who has predicted a comfortable majority for the BJP in Gujarat, tweeted in Hindi. (PTI)