Gujarat Assembly poll result update at 10am: CM Vijay Rupani ahead by 9000 votes in Rajkot West

In a high-octane battle for Gujarat today, corridors of powers are shaking like never before, with Congress looking to give BJP an air-gasping fight.

After early trends awarded an edge to the BJP, India's Grand Old Party has engaged the saffron brigade into a neck and neck contest.

In what could have become a huge embarrassment for BJP, CM Vijay Rupani was lacking far behind in Rajkot West against Congress' mighty Indranil Rajyguru by 6234 votes.

But in a timely save, Gujarat Chief Minister is currently leading with 9000 votes against Rajyguru.

Same cannot be said about Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel- who is trailing in Mehsana by 2000 votes.

LIVE COVERAGE | Gujarat election results 2017

Rajkot West is the most high profile seat of the Gujarat Assembly election as Chief Minister Vijay Rupani is facing a tough challenge from Rajyaguru of the Congress. Hardik Patel has campaigned heavily against the BJP and this is Patel stronghold.

This seat is also significant as Narendra Modi contested from Rajkot West as Gujarat chief minister in 2002. This seat has been with the BJP for past 32 years. CM Rupani had won the seat in the 2014 bypoll.

The Congress has brought in Indranil Rajyaguru from neighbouring Rajkot East to exploit the caste equation in the constituency.

ABOUT VOTING, ELECTORAL HOPES

For long this election has been touted as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's prestige battle against Congress and with Rahul Gandhi at helm of affairs- this election could very well herald a political earthquake.

The counting of votes for the Gujarat Assembly Election result 2017 are underway at 37 centres across the state's 33 districts, amid tight security.

Gujarat Assembly election results 2017 are expected to have a bearing on the 2019 parliamentary polls also as Modi had come to power in 2014 based on the 'Gujarat model of development'.

An average 68.41 per cent polling was recorded in the two-phase Assembly elections in Gujarat. According to the final figures released by the Election Commission, the voter turnout in the second phase of balloting on December 14, for 93 seats of North and Central Gujarat, stood at 69.99 per cent.

In the first phase of polls held on December 9 for 89 seats in Saurasthra, Kutch and South Gujarat, 66.75 per cent voting was recorded. The total voter turnout this time has seen a dip of 2.91 per cent, as compared to the 2012 polls when 71.32 per cent polling was registered.

In terms of numbers, of the total 4.35 crore registered voters, 2.97 crore exercised their right to franchise in the elections held on December 9 and 14.