Gujarat Election 2022 Phase-1 Voting Live Updates: Competition among Congress leaders to abuse me, PM Modi says on Kharge's Ravan jibe

Out of the 19 districts where polling was under way on Thursday, Tapi recorded the highest voter turnout at 46.29 per cent till 1 pm, followed by Dang 46.22 per cent and Narmada 46.16 per cent. All these districts are tribal-dominated. Porbandar recorded the lowest turnout of 30.06 per cent and Botad reported 30.12 per cent voting during the period. The voting percentage in Surat stood at 33.40 per cent and in Rajkot at 32.89 per cent. (PTI)

More dirt it throws on me, the more lotus will bloom: PM Modi on Congress 'abuses'

Whenever Congress attacked PM Modi, voters of Gujarat gave befitting reply: Amit Shah

34.48% voter turnout recorded till 1pm in the first phase of Gujarat assembly elections

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel holds roadshow in Mehsana for phase-2 of poll campaign

Prafulbhai More, whose wedding was scheduled for Thursday morning, said, "I urge everyone to vote, you shouldn't waste it. My wedding was scheduled for the morning but I rescheduled it for the evening, we've to go to Maharashtra for it".

"We are the ones who divide the community, not the people. People of Porbandar know me and I have worked for each community," Modhwadia said. Further attacking the BJP, the Congress candidate said that "in 27 years of their governance, nine out of 11 huge industries have been shut. There is unemployment and huge business have come to a standstill here."

"People have taken a resolve to remove the BJP. The party knows about it that is why they changed the cabinet, including the chief minister, a year ago. There were allegations of corruption against them and now the new government is also functioning similarly. Hence, people are in a mood for change which they have created themselves," Modhwadia said.

Congress candidate from Gujarat's Porbandar constituency Arjun Modhwadia on Thursday cast his vote for the first phase of polling in the assembly election. Before casting his vote, Modhwadia told media persons that even the Bharatiya Janata Party is aware of the 'people's resolution to remove BJP'. (ANI)

Gujarat elections 2022: 'Competition among Congress leaders to abuse me', PM Modi says

Whenever the Congress has used inappropriate words against PM Modi, the people of Gujarat have given a reply through the ballot box. This time also the people of the state will give a reply: Union home minister Amit Shah to ANI

"Those who never believed in the existence of Lord Ram have now brought in (demon king) 'Ravan' from Ramayana. And, I am surprised they never expressed repentance, forget about tendering an apology, after using such cuss words for me," the PM said.

Addressing a poll rally in Kalol town of Panchmahal district in Gujarat on Thursday, Modi said, "There is a competition among Congress leaders as to who will use the most abusive words for Modi."

Kharge on Monday night addressed a rally in Behrampura area of Ahmedabad city where he said the prime minister asks people to vote "looking at his face" in all elections. "Are you 100-headed like Ravan," he had said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said there is a competition among Congress leaders as to who will use the most abusive words against him, referring to party president Mallikarjun Kharge's 'Ravan' jibe at him. Before Kharge, another Congress leader had said the party will show Modi his 'aukat' (place), the PM said, apparently referring to Madhusudan Mistry's remark.

Desai said that every person in Gujarat has decided to vote for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to bring it to power once again. "Gujarat has been progressing and the people of the state have decided to vote for the BJP. People have trust in BJP that there will be more development in the state," he added. Talking about the people's enthusiasm, Desai said that people have an 'unbreakable trust' in the BJP. "The craze with which they are voting, the margin of victory will rise," the state Finance Minister said.

These 2022 assembly polls in Gujarat are the 'semi-finals' for 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the country, state finance minister Kanubhai Desai said after casting his vote on Thursday. "After the country accepted Gujarat's model of development in 2014, these 2022 assembly elections are the semi-finals for 2024 elections," Kanubhai Desai said. (ANI)

Gujarat polls: Congress MLA carries 'gas cylinder' on his bicycle to cast vote

Congress leader Asad Kalyani sat on a dharna in Begampura area polling booth in Surat demanding restoration of power. Due to power disruption, polling stopped for almost an hour. Authorities installed a power generator and restored power.