Counting of votes going on in Gujarat, Himachal
After initial struggle, braving the two-decade-old incumbency the BJP has established comfortable leads in state assembly elections in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s native state of Gujarat.
According to trends shown in the Election Commission website, at around 1000 hrs, the BJP is shown leading in 83 and Congress having put up a determined fight has able to establish lead in at least 62 seats.
According to trends and analyses as shown in various TV channels, the BJP seemed to have done well in South Gujarat and Central Gujarat, while Congress performance has been better in rural areas.
In Surat region, as expected Congress seems to be doing well.
In the 182-member assembly in 2012 polls, BJP had won 116 seats and the Congress had managed to pick up 60 seats.
According to trends shown in EC website, in Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh, the BJP has established comfortable leads in 36 while Congress was leading in 21 seats.
Himachal Pradesh – Congress leaders Virbhadra Singh, Ashish Butail, Champa Thakur and Vikramaditya Singh leading.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani takes lead in Rajkot West constituency.
Himachal Pradesh – BJP leaders Anil Sharma, Kishan Kapoor and Jai Ram Thakur leading; however, party’s Chief Ministerial face Prem Singh Dhumal still trailing.
The Congress, which exit polls predicted would lose the Gujarat election, seemed to be proving them wrong. At one time, experts and analysts even considered a win for the Congress, which would be a first for them in two decades in Gujarat. Markets had collapsed with the Sensex going down 850 points, but has recovered the loss and is up 50 points currently. The election in Gujarat is seen as a prestige battle for both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly-elected Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
AMN
The counting of votes for assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh has begun. The counting started at 8 AM and results are expected by noon.
While in Gujarat, polling was held in two phases on December 9 and 14, Himachal Pradesh went to polls in a single phase on November 9.
In Gujarat, counting is taking place at 37 centres amidst tight security. Over 68 per cent polling was recorded in the two-phase elections. The total voter turnout this time has seen a dip of 2 per cent, as compared to the 2012 polls when 71 per cent polling was registered. 1,828 candidates were in the fray for a total of 182 seats. EVM polling data is being compared with VVPAT paper slips in one polling station of all 182 assembly constituencies. 33 control rooms have been set up and more than 30,000 personnel have been deployed to monitor the counting process. Prominent candidates include CM Vijay Rupani, Deputy CM Nitin Patel, senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil, and young leaders Alpesh Thakore and Jignesh Mevani. While the BJP is seeking a sixth straight term in office in the state, the Congress is aiming to stage a comeback in power after being in the opposition for over two decades. The results are expected to have a bearing on the 2019 parliamentary polls as well.
In Himachal Pradesh, the counting for all 68 assembly seats is being held at 42 centres. 2,820 officers including 940 micro-observers have been deployed for the purpose. The counting is being supervised by 68 returning officers, one in every constituency. Web-casting, videography and CCTVs are being used at all counting stations. The election department has made three-tier security arrangements at counting centers and no one will be allowed to carry mobile phones. Highest ever polling of 75 percent was recorded to elect 13th state assembly.
