Gujarat Assembly Election updates: Voting for second phase ends; 63% overall turnout till 4 pm

Total turnout toll 4 pm at 62.37%, Banaskantha had highest turnout at 66%

93-year-old cast her vote in Viramgam

#GujaratElection2017: 93 yr old lady casts her vote in #Viramgam
: https://t.co/ItKSMKhs4T#Gujarat pic.twitter.com/ThiazzjD3p

— Tv9 Gujarati (@tv9gujarati) December 14, 2017

EC received 44 complaints of MCC violation on Thursday

A total of 44 complaints of violation of the Model Code of Conduct was received by the CEO Gujarat on Thursday.

“The complaint by the Congress was filed at 11.51 a.m. before Prime Minister Modi even reached the polling booth. The complaint was filed that as a huge gathering was there at the venue, there was a possibility of a road show being held when Modi arrives. We have ordered the Model Code of Conduct team to look into the matter and the Ahmedabad collector will be reporting to us on it,” he said.- IANS

Opposition parties say EC’s attitude casts ominous shadow on its credibility and integrity of electoral process

59.56% voter turnout  recorded till 4 pm, says News18

#ElectionsWithNews18 | #BattleForGujarat #GujaratRound2 #Live Updates Here: https://t.co/CrGKIxSzLk pic.twitter.com/urVPJzWgrY

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 14, 2017

Clash between Congress and BJP workers in Gujarat’s Anand; police take stock of situation

Clash between Congress and BJP workers during voting in Tower Bazar area in Gujarat's Anand, earlier today; vehicles vandalized during protest. Police reached the spot, situation now under control. pic.twitter.com/bdQRayXx3E

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Congress had lodged a similar complaint of MCC violation in 2014

Earlier, on 24 April 2014 while polling for parliamentary election was in progress in different parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh, Narendra Modi had arrived in Varanasi to file his nomination paper as a candidate. Modi did not utter a word but he repeatedly waved to the sea of people accompanying his cavalcade prompting the Congress to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission as a violation of poll code . The poll panel did not find anything objectionable later after conducting an enquiry.

Voting ends for second phase of Gujarat polls

Vadodara polling station being managed by women 

#GujaratElection2017 : All-women polling station in Vadodara, being managed completely by women pic.twitter.com/5kJR1VsvUY

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Concerned about double standards shown by EC today, says Shashi Tharoor

Concerned about double standard shown by EC today. EC has lost all objectivity&impartiality.But to issue a notice against one side&completely condone blatant violation of election code of conduct by other side,almost most astonishing thing we have seen from EC: S Tharoor,Congress pic.twitter.com/hXWyWnn13L

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Meanwhile, Congress, BJP workers clash in Gandhinagar

Voting temporarily stopped in Chhaniyana village as voters alleged EVM rigging

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor slams EC, says poll panel has lost all objectivity

#ElectionsWithNews18 | The EC has lost all objectivity and impartiality. We are shocked by their behaviour. This is unacceptable: Shashi Tharoor #BattleForGujarat #GujaratRound2https://t.co/lLzPrYc781 pic.twitter.com/sWFvMpQP55

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 14, 2017

BJP delegation leaves EC office in Delhi 

Delhi: BJP delegation leaves from the office of the Election Commission of India #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/0LvNSvudlZ

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Banaskantha has highest turnout at 49% in north Gujarat: official data

BJP delegation led by Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to meet EC shortly

BB Swain says EC got complaint over Bluetooth

“We received a complaint from a person, apparently when he switched on Bluetooth on his mobile phone it connected to the machine. We are checking this at every place. Senior officers and observers are at the spot to check this,” said BB Swain. – NDTV

Delhi Police detains Congress workers who were marching to Election Commission in protest 

Delhi: Police detains Congress workers who were marching to Election Commission in protest over PM Modi's roadshow after casting his vote today pic.twitter.com/xGIveyyqnX

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Gujarat governor OP Kohli casts his vote

#GujaratElection2017 : #Gujarat Governor O P Kohli casts his vote, #Gandhinagar : https://t.co/kBK7Sca2J0 pic.twitter.com/QlRUNwVkjq

— Tv9 Gujarati (@tv9gujarati) December 14, 2017

Swain says MCC team was also present there, and they are finalising the enquiry report

Have received a complaint regarding MCC violation, says BB Swain, Gujarat chief electoral officer

Have received a complaint regarding MCC violation after casting of the vote. It is a complaint which is is more anticipatory in nature which says crowd was there and this could be a roadshow. This complaint has been given to DEO Ahmedabad: #Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer #PMModi pic.twitter.com/8n096fBggk

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Voting is underway in Godhra’s polling station

Congress workers march to EC in protest over PM Modi’s roadshow, stopped by police near Patel Chowk in Delhi 

Congress workers marching to Election Commission in protest over PM Modi's roadshow after casting his vote today, stopped by police outside Sardar Patel Bhawan near Patel Chowk in Delhi #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/ezSlxSS8kb

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Thakore confident of Congress’ victory

OBC leader Alpesh Thakor sounded confident about his party, which is in the Opposition for over two decades, winning this election. “It is a matter of happiness for me that I was the first voter to cast vote at my polling booth. We are committed to change the kind of politics happening in the state. The Congress is set to form the next government that will work for the poor, farmers, women and all sections of the society,” he told reporters after coming out of the polling booth. – PTI

2.00 pm voter turnout updates

Panchmahal: 49%
Sabarkantha: 56.38%
Aravalli : 47.66%
Dahod : 43.56%
Anand : 45%
Baroda : 50.29%
Patan: 46.65%

BJP slams Congress for criticising EC

Speaking to media persons, BJP in-charge for Gujarat, Bhupinder Yadav said that the Congress is a classic case of ‘grapes going sour", adding that the party had praised the EC for its “integrity” when it delivered a verdict favourable to Ahmed Patel. 

Pichle Rajya Sabha chunaav ke dauran jab chunav aayog ne nirnaye diya tha, humne use sweekar kiya tha. Congress ne tab isi chunaav aayog ko nishpaksh kaha tha: Bhupendra Yadav,BJP pic.twitter.com/BCwRwpgL0T

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Jinke liye angoor khatte hain, wo aaj Chunaav aayog par tarah tarah ke aarop laga rahe hain :Bhupendra Yadav,BJP on Congress #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/WD2K4POBLh

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Congress to gherao EC office in Delhi

Congress to protest outside the Election Commission office in Delhi at 3.15 pm, India Today reported. According to the report, the Congress will gherao the premises of the apex poll body to protest the inaction against BJP’s alleged violations of election code of conduct.

2 pm update

While the voter turnout in central Gujarat’s Kheda was 46.42 percent, it was 45 percent in north Gujarat’s Banaskantha.

Communal clashes in Vadodara

According to The Indian Express , clashes between two groups have been reported in Savli Assembly Constituency in Vadodara. Few two wheelers were set on fire. According to the report, it may have been a communal clash. Voting has been suspended for a while. Security personnel have reached the area to bring situation under control.

Got two complaints of Bluetooth, says election official

“We have received two complaints regarding presence of Bluetooth in polling booths in Ghatlodia and Mehsana. We sent observers to the spot,” Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain was quoted as saying by NDTV.

1.30 pm update

Modi greeted by crowds in Ranip

After casting the vote at the Nishan High School, he showed his inked finger to thousands of supporters who had gathered outside the school in Ranip locality of Sabaramati constituency, amid chants of “Modi Modi”.

The prime minister walked a certain distance to greet people standing on both sides of the road outside the polling booth. Later, he stood on the foot-board of his car and waived to the crowd.

PTI

Watch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting the crowd in Ranip

Video courtesy: Pallavi Rebbapragada

LK Advani casts his vote in Ahmedabad’s Khanpur

Senior BJP leader LK Advani casts his vote in Ahmedabad District's Jamalpur Khadiya #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/zwp8I5qjfB

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

12 pm update

Voter turnout

Ahmedabad: 23.80%
Baroda: 32.81%
Sabarkantha: 36.56%
Banaskantha 26%
Arvalli 31.95%
Patan: 29 %
Kheda: 29.27%
Mahisagar: 30.96%
Chhota Udaipur: 25.44%
Mehsana: 33.56 %

Huge crowds gather in Ahmedabad’s Ranip to see Modi

EC kept on delaying our complaints, says Congress

Aaj jab humne EC se subah pucha apni compliant ke baare mein toh kaha ki 5 baje ke baad jawab denge.Mukhya Chunav Aayukt jo PS to Modi ji the aaj bhi PS to Modi ji ki terah kaam kar rahe hain.Ye chunav aayog ke liye sharm ki baat hai: RS Surjewala,Congress pic.twitter.com/RpRzA9g7vV

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

EC is now a puppet of the BJP, says Congress

Speaking to the press, Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the Election Commission of India is turning a blind eye to the “poll code violations” committed by the BJP. 

“The Election Commission is working under pressure from the BJP. It is not working independently of the executive,” Surjewala said. 

The Congress also claimed that the Election Commission is running away from its constitutional responsibility, adding that the BJP is using EC as a “puppet” to win Gujarat. 

“Under Modi era, EC has become the puppet of the BJP. The Election Commissioner has compromised on his integrity. A meek EC is prostrating to the Modi government,” Surjewala said.

EC under pressure from PMO, alleges Congress

PM Modi's road show after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. EC it seems is working under pressure from PM and PMO: Ashok Gehlot,Congress #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/CfDPtFlvDJ

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Ex-cricketer Nayan Mongia votes in Vadodara

Former Cricketer Nayan Mongia casts his vote in Vadodara's Akota. Seemaben Akshaykumar Mohile of BJP is contesting against Ranjit Sharadchandra Chavan of Congress here. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Euyyu1NwTY

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Less faulty EVM cases since phase one: EC

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: BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer pic.twitter.com/tWqaiXQEvx

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Faulty EVMs plague Vadodara 

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.

PTI

Gujarat: 39% voter turnout till noon 

Up to noon, Sabarkantha district registered a total voter turnout of 36.56 %. In Aravalli district, the total voter turnout till noon was pegged at 31.95 percent. Overall, the voter turnout is around 39 percent till noon.

Anand and Vadodara update

At 12 pm, Anand registered a voter turnout of 28.15 percent while Vadodara registered a voter turnout of 31 percent.

Watch: Modi at the Ranip polling booth to cast his vote

WATCH | PM @narendramodi votes in Ahmedabad in the second and last phase of #GujaratElection2017#AssemblyElections2017 pic.twitter.com/LDvQRU6nuY

— NDTV (@ndtv) December 14, 2017

12 pm update

According to latest reports, 26 percent voting was recorded in Banaskantha district, while Ahmedabad district recorded a total turnout of 23.80 percent at the same time.

Senior journalist tweets

Gujarat election officials replacing faulty EVMs

“Out of total machines deployed for second phase of Gujarat Polls, 1.63 percent of the VVPATs were replaced after mock polls. 0.88 percent of the Ballot Units and 0.86 percent of Control Units were also replaced,” said BB Swain, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer.

Modi leaves polling booth after casting his vote

Ahmedabad: PM Modi leaves after casting his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Wjt6GmPTCF

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Narendra Modi casts his vote in Ranip

Ahmedabad: PM Modi casts his vote at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/HJIMny2Cvi

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil votes in Gandhinagar

Congress' Shaktisinh Gohil casts his vote in Gandhinagar. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/f0EypF6Kmy

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Narendra Modi stands in queue to cast vote

Ahmedabad: PM Modi stands in queue at booth number 115 in Sabarmati's Ranip locality to cast his vote. BJP's sitting MLA Arvind Patel is up against Congress' Jitubhai Patel from Sabarmati seat. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/XDEbQrxWP8

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

11 pm update

At 11 am, the overall voter turnout in Gujarat is 19 percent, CNN News18 is reporting.

Prime minister arrives at Ranip polling booth in Ahmedabad

Narendra Modi all set to vote in Ahmedabad

On my way to cast my vote in Ahmedabad.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

Voter turnout till 10 am in Gandhinagar

Update on Patan district 

Patan :  13.21 %
Radhanpur :  8.30 %
Chansma 12.03 %
Sidhhpur  13.60 %
 

Patan district : 11.77

Voter turnout update: 10 am

Banaskantha district : 12.5 percent 

Kheda district : 13.20 percent

Breakup of Kheda district

Matar: 16.15 percent
Nadiyad: 12.80 percent
Mahemdabad : 10.46 percent
Thasra: 11.87 percent
Mahudha : 14.57 percent
Kapadvanj : 13.51 percent

14% voting in Vadodara district 

As of 11 am, Vadodara district has recorded a voter turnout of 14 percent. Meanwhile Ahmedabad district has recorded a turnout of 9.6 percent till 10 am.

Gujarat BJP minister Shankar Chaudhary votes in Banaskantha

Have cast my vote for the #GujaratElection2017. I urge all those voting today to vote in record numbers. pic.twitter.com/ICGznQ1ZUu

— Shankar Chaudhary (@ChaudhryShankar) December 14, 2017

Amit Shah votes in Naranoura, urges people to vote in large numbers

BJP president Amit Shah today cast his vote at a polling booth in the Naranpura area here, and appealed to the public to come out to vote in large numbers to carry forward the “journey of development”

He came to the polling booth at the Naranpura sub-zonal office to cast vote along with his wife Sonal Shah and son Jay Shah.

“I would like to appeal to the voters to come out in large numbers to cast their vote to take ahead the journey of development,” Amit Shah told reporters after coming out of the polling booth.

He said the development model of Gujarat is “praised across the country”. “I believe this tempo should be maintained, and the people should vote in large numbers to give a befitting reply to those opposing the Gujarat model,” he said.

PTI

Less than 10% voting in Ahmedabad till 10 am

Courtesy: ETV Gujarati

People protest against local BJP candidate in Mehsana

#Mehsana: Furious dist #BJP IT cell prez Chandresh Patel ran with open sword as people staged protest against #BJP candidate Rajni Patel in Pachot village #Gujarat #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/iTkCY01IwN

— Tv9 Gujarati (@tv9gujarati) December 12, 2017

Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki to vote in Anand

Congress state chief Bharatsinh Solanki casts his vote in polling booth no.201 in Anand #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Zf4nYkAOfT

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Amit Shah and his wife after their vote

Gujarat CEO BB Swain casts his vote

Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain casts his vote in Gandhinagar. #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/84S1dCWnZA

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

63 complaints of EVM malfunctioning reported, 34 machines replaced: Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain 

A total of 63 complaints of EVM malfunctioning have been received so far, Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain said. “Total 34 machines have been replaced while others started functioning after technician attended to them. No incidence of violence reported anywhere,” Swain added.

BJP leaders queuing up to vote in Gujarat proves state’s importance for Modi 

Look at the names of BJP leaders who have voted in Gujarat today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, co-founder of the party and ‘margdarshak’ LK Advani.  The list is enough evidence to show why the electoral outcome of this state matters so much for the BJP. Modi is an MP from Varanasi but while he is based in New Delhi, he has remained a voter from Gandhinagar. Shah boasts of of winning three Assembly elections with record margins. Jaitley is a Rajya Sabha MP from the state. Advani has been an MP from Gandhinagar since 1989. However, this time around, he did not campaign. Gujarat clearly is not just another state and election here is not just another election for the BJP.

Will pro-Hindu makeover for Rahul work for Congress?

Amit Shah going to a temple after casting his vote was interesting. Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi had concluded their election campaign by going to Ambaji and Jagannath temple , respectively. In the run up to elections, Rahul visited over two dozen temples, on an average visiting one temple every second-third day. This election would also be remembered for Congress’s Hindutva push. The party also attempted to give a new identity to Rahul, from “non-Hindu’ to “Shivbhakt” who was “not just a Hindu but a Janeudhari Hindu”. But will pro-Hindu makeover for Rahul Gandhi and Congress work?

6 crore Gujaratis will win on 18 December, says Hardik

Speaking to India Today, PAAS leader Hardik Patel said, “Vote against those who oppressed us. I am confident that six crore Gujaratis will win on 18 December.”

Nitin Patel votes in Mehsana

Deputy CM Nitin Patel casts his vote in Mehsana's Kadi. He is contesting against Congress's Jivabhai Patel #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/rGXByV1vx1

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Hardik Patel votes in Viramgam

PAAS leader Hardik Patel casts his vote in Viramgam #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/lKsSnlDSuf

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Gujarat Congress slams BJP’s ‘vikaas’ talk

They tried to talk about vikaas. But after realising that there has been no vikaas, they stopped talking about it. When they spoke about corruption, then there was Jay Shah issue. They have failed in state The reception that Rahul Gandhi has got wil translate into votes and there will be ’navsarjan," Congress spokesperson Nitish Vyas told India Today.

Low voting turnout in Ahmedabad

According to India Today, the voter turnout till 10 am has only been ​around 9.6 percent.

Hiraben blesses Gujarat after voting 

Modi’s mother 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 media persons outside the poll booth.

“May god bless Gujarat,” she told the reporters while emerging out of the poll booth.

PTI

Low turnout in Juhapura

According to The Economic Times , low turnout was witnessed at almost every booth in Juhapura, the Muslim-dominated area of Ahmedabad. Some booths recorded as low as 20 votes till 9.30am, the report added.

Nitin Patel votes 

Speaking to reporters after voting in Mehsana, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that he prayed to god for his as well as the BJP’s victory in the polls. “I prayed to god for more development of Gujarat,” Patel added.

Voting delayed by 50 minutes as EVM malfunctioning hits polling centre in Chhota Udaipur

The EVM in Sankheda's Sodhaliya village in Chhota Udaipur was dysfunctional for 50 minutes, so voting was halted for that duration. We fixed the machine and now the voting is underway: Gaurang Rana, Polling Officer #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/0CDLpztp5x

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Arun Jaitley votes in Ahmedabad, hopes Gujaratis will continue to support ‘vikaas yatra’

Main Gujarat ki janta se appeal karta hoon ki vo bhaari maatra mein aayen aur vote karein, vikas yatra ko qayam rakhein: FM Arun Jaitley after casting his vote in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur pic.twitter.com/3Il9KrEBq1

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraben votes in Gandhinagar

Arun Jaitley casts vote in Ahmedabad

FM Arun Jaitley in queue to vote at polling booth no.961 in Ahmedabad's Vejalpur #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/PKtYjjkwbt

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

BJP President Amit Shah  leaves after voting

Media surrounds #BJP President #AmitShah as he leaves after voting in Ahmedabad's Naranpura #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/W7faqYT9x5

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

7% voting till 9 am

As per Election Commission reports, Gujarat has recorded seven percent voting till 9 am today.

Former Congress leader and ex-CM Shankersinh Vaghela votes

Shankersinh Vaghela cast his vote in Gandhinagar's Vasan village #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/Rn9tEaZssb

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

‘People will show their power’: Hardik Patel

Speaking to Times Now, PAAS leader Hardik Patel claimed that today’s polling will reveal “people’s power”. Hardik, who has been campaigning against the BJP, however, refused to talk about his former associate Dinesh Bambhania’s allegation that he had a  ‘fixing’ with the Congress.

Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki appeals Gujaratis to vote

Urge people to turn out in huge numbers and Vote for #Congress, for Navsarjan of Gujarat with People friendly Government in Gandhinagar!

#VoteCongress #CongressAaveChe #Gujaratelection2017 pic.twitter.com/FKGmIgqk4O

— Bharat Solanki (@BharatSolankee) December 14, 2017

BJP presdent Amit Shah appeals to Gujaratis to vote for ‘vikaas’

BJP president Amit Shah vores in Naranpura

BJP President Amit Shah cast his vote in Naranpura #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/dFQyY5JIDQ

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Congress candidates wealthier than BJP counterparts

#ElectionsWithNews18 -- A snapshot of BJP and Congress candidates contesting in Gujarat Phase 2 polls #BattleForGujarat #GujaratRound2

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/dZAUsx14jJ pic.twitter.com/XM0100DUfH

— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 14, 2017

Parents of Hardik Patel vote in Viramgam

Parents of Hardik Patel Bharat Patel and Usha Patel cast their votes in Viramgam #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/pCiNOgB9Oa

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

EC orders repolling in 6 booths after officers forget to wipe out mock drill results in phase one

The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday ordered repolling in six booths, where first phase polling was held on 9 December. The repolls will be held on 14 December.

Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat BB Swain said the poll panel has cancelled the results stored in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in six booths in four constituencies of the first phase of elections.

The presiding officers of these booths had forgotten to wipe out the mock drill poll results necessitating the re-election.

IANS

Recap: 2012 election results

In the 2012 Assembly polls, the BJP had won 115 seats, while the Congress bagged 61. The NCP won 2 seats while the JDU won one seat. The now-defunct Gujarat Parivartan Party won two seats.

Modi’s mother Hiraben votes in Gandhinagar

PM Modi's mother Heeraben cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/5PJxvGbf91

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

EVM malfunctioning issues re-emerge

According to The Indian Express , three polling stations in Vadodara City Assembly Constituency have reported malfunctioning of EVM machines. Election officers have started replacing the machines to start voting.

Prominent faces in phase 2 of the polling

Prominent candidates in the fray for today’s battle include state deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, who is contesting from Mehsana, Alpesh Thakor (Radhanpur), and Jignesh Mevani (Vadgam). In Maninagar, the constituency once represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress has given ticket to foreign- educated young face Shweta Bhrambhatt against BJP’s sitting MLA Suresh Patel.

PTI

Former chief minister Anandiben Patel votes in Ahmedabad

Former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel casts her vote in Ahmedabad's Ghatlodia. BJP's Bhupendra Patel is up against Congress's Shashikant Patel on this seat #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/4uVYtOf2bg

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

PM Modi’s mother votes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother Hiraben has voted in the second phase of polling in Gandhinagar. 

PM Modi's mother Heeraben arrives to cast her vote in a polling booth in Gandhinagar #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/orVeaNEKY6

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Heavy security as voting begins in 93 constituencies

The Election Commission has deployed hundreds of companies of the Central Armed Police Forces, 12 companies of Rapid Action Force and 19 companies of the State Reserve Police Force for the election.

Here is the Gujarat election in numbers

Voting underway in Hardik Patel’s hometown of Viramgam

#GujaratElection2017 : Voting underway in Viramgam's polling booth number 252. This is PAAS leader #HardikPatel 's home town pic.twitter.com/gwz1ix19AU

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Visuals from Vadodara 

Voting for second phase of #GujaratElection2017 to begin shortly. Visuals from Vadodara's Kasba.Polling booth no.12 pic.twitter.com/2D23kHCOYO

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Hardik Patel’s parents pray ahead of polls

Hardik Patel's parents pray as voting for second phase of #GujaratElection2017 begins pic.twitter.com/YZAaAtMWL6

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Gujarat BJP stalwarts to vote in Ahmedabad

Former chief minister Anandiben Patel and deputy chief minister Nitin Patel will vote at the Shilaj Primary School at S P Ring Road and at the Sanskar Bharti School at Kadi, respectively, reports News18.

Polling in Gujarat to begin shortly

Voting for second phase of #GujaratElection2017 to begin shortly. Visuals from polling booth no.121 in Mehsana's Kadi pic.twitter.com/BwGurtqF4E

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Interesting piece of trivia 

Smallest and largest constituencies by area and by electorate in phase two of #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/rh8jw2B3pf

— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2017

Rahul Gandhi’s 25 temple visits in state is simply what Hindus do, it’s not soft Hindutva

To describe (Rahul Gandhi’s temple trips) as soft Hindutva is incorrect. Soft Hindutva is when the Congress does mildly Hindutva things. The origin of the term soft Hindutva lies in Rajiv Gandhi ordering of the opening of the gates of the Ram Mandir inside the Babri Masjid in 1986, allowing a puja to take place inside. The political calculation was to appease rising Hindutva but we know what happened later. The move did not weaken Hindutva forces, only strengthened them.

Similarly, Narasimha Rao’s failure to stop the demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992 led to the Congress being accused of soft Hindutva, accelerating the shift of Muslim votes from Congress to regional parties in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Worshipping in temples is not soft Hindutva or any kind of Hindutva. Labelling temple-going as Hindutva misunderstands what Hindutva is.

Why no action against PM, Amit Shah? asks Chidambaram

BJP petitioning the Election Commission is an act of desperation. An interview after the campaign ended is the norm for every candidate and every campaigner in every election.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

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?

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

Congress issues 4-point list of demands from EC against Narendra Modi, Amit Shah

The Congress on Wednesday petitioned the Election Commission for action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing an event organised by an industry body on the eve of the final phase of the Gujarat polls where he attacked the main opposition party.

The Congress’s complaint came soon after the EC issued a show cause notice to Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi for prima facie violating the model code by giving interviews to Gujarati TV channels, and asked him to reply by 18 December, failing which it will decide the matter without any reference to him.

A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Ashok Gehlot, Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala handed over a memorandum to the poll body, demanding strong action against Modi and other BJP leaders for addressing press conferences and events on the eve of last phase of polling in Gujarat.

Amit Shah urges people to vote in large numbers

Pitching the Gujarat Assembly polls as a battle between “dynastic rule and rule of development”, BJP chief Amit Shah tonight asked people to vote in large numbers to help the rule of development win.

In a statement on the eve of the second and last phase of the Gujarat assembly polls, he claimed that the state suffered a lot of discrimination and injustice under the UPA government but is now developing fast, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm in the Centre.

PTI

Enrich the festival of democracy, says 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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2017

P Chidambaram urges Gujarat to not ‘underestimate’ their vote

To my fellow citizens of Gujarat: Every vote matters. Just go out and vote. Vote for a change of government after 22 years.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

Don't underestimate the power of your vote. Every vote can bring about change.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 14, 2017

Shaktisinh Gohil, Bharatsinh Solanki to vote too

The sitting MLA from Abdasa and Congress candidate from Mandvi, Shaktisinh Gohil will be casting his vote in Gandhinagar. State Congress President Bharatsinh Solanki will exercise his voting right in Borsad town of Kheda district. Another Congress candidate Siddharth Patel will be casting his vote from Dabhoi.

Congress seeks ban on any telecast of any leader casting his or her vote

4. Further direct all members of print and electronic media to not carry any news item with regard to elections or live telecast any pictures of casting of votes of any political leader.

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 13, 2017

Congress spokesperson tweets memorandum to EC seeking action against BJP leaders

Congress delegation submitted a memorandum to ECI demanding immediate registration of FIR against BJP leaders in the context of them violating the model code of conduct.If FIR can be registered against news channels for telecasting Rahul ji's interview then why not against BJP? pic.twitter.com/AbOzlUU1R2

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 13, 2017

Star voters in phase 2 of Gujarat polls

Narendra Modi: Ranip, Ahmedabad

Hardik Patel: Viramgam

Alpesh Thakore: Viramgam

Amit Shah: Naranpura, Ahmedabad

LK Advani: Khanpur, Ahmedabad

Ahmed Patel: Piraman Village, Bharuch district

Jignesh Mewani: Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad

North and central Gujarat goes to poll to today

A total of 14 districts in north and central Gujarat will go to polls on Thursday. A total of 25,575 polling booths have been set up in 14,523 places.

851 candidates across 93 Assembly seats

The second phase will see 851 candidates contest for the 93 Assembly seats. Elections will be held in Banaskantha, Patan, Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Aravalli, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, Dahod, Kheda, Anand, Vadodara and Chhota Udepur districts from 8 am to 5 pm.

Ahead of second phase of polling, Rahul Gandhi urges Gujarat to vote for ‘Navsarjan’

गुजरात में नवसर्जन की शुरुआत हो चुकी है। आपका एक एक वोट लोकतंत्र की नींव को सुदृढ़ और सशक्त बनाएगा। गुजरात की जनता से अपील है कि गुजरात के उज्जवल भविष्य के लिए अधिक से अधिक वोट करें। #NavsarjanGujarat

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 14, 2017