Gujarat Assembly elections 2017 live updates: BJP wins but Congress not far behind
07:55pm: Moments away from the final results, the tally stands as follows:
BJP has won 97 seats and is leading in 2, Congress has won 75 and is leading in 2. NCP has won 1. BTP has won 2 and other independent candidates have won 3 seats.
06:55pm: “30 years ago, the 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 Narendra Modi.
Gujarat election results are historic. In this day and age, for a party to keep winning for so long: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/wU4sENa18C
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
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 pic.twitter.com/zRzXTk9bC1
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
For me, Gujarat polls are a matter of double happiness. I am so happy that after I left the state, my colleagues there continued the good work: PM Modi
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
So many conspiracies were hatched in Gujarat by Congress, misinformation was being spread. People cannot bear if anyone makes fun of 'vikas': PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/GOafVB23i5
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
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 pic.twitter.com/DCglJpP2TR
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
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 ppl must be alert: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/srlI5bsa3Y
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
06:48pm: PM Modi: "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."
06:40pm: “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. But now the entire nation is joining our ‘vikas yatra’. Support for BJP shows the nation is ready for reform agenda and every citizen wants India transformed,” PM Narendra Modi at BJP HQ in Delhi.
Support for BJP shows the nation is ready for reform agenda and every citizen wants India transformed: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/w2kgnZAB5Z pic.twitter.com/ee4ugLvB4I
— BJP (@BJP4India) December 18, 2017
06:36pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks after BJP victory in Gujarat
06:33pm: This journey of “vikas” will not come to a stop. Next will be Tripura, Karnataka, Mizoram and Meghalaya. – BJP vice-president Amit Shah.
ये विकास यात्रा अभी रुकने वाली नहीं है। त्रिपुरा, कर्नाटक, मिजोरम और मेघालय में भाजपा की सरकार बनने जा रही है : श्री @AmitShah https://t.co/w2kgnZAB5Z pic.twitter.com/VxWOp5394d
— BJP (@BJP4India) December 18, 2017
06:26pm: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee weighs in on BJP's Gujarat victory. (via PTI)
06:21pm:
06:07pm: “The BJP's performance in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh polls is a victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development politics over ‘dirty caste politics’ of Rahul Gandhi-led Congress. All sections of society have voted above caste politics. This is a win of development politics of the prime minister. In Gujarat, OBC, patidar, dalit all were used for caste politics by the Congress but caste politics could not get success," said Union minister Nitin Gadkari said. (via PTI)
06:03pm: The Election Commission has declared BJP’s victory in 88 seats while having a lead in 11 others; and Congress’ victory in 73 seats and the party’s lead in 4 others.
05:59pm: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani thanks Narendra Modi for “leaving no stone unturned” in polls
Gujarat is thankful to PM Shri @narendramodi Ji for always being there for the state & leaving no stone unturned to transform the state as well as the nation. I also express gratitude to BJP President @amitshah Ji for his constant guidance to our karyakartas.
— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) December 18, 2017
05:56pm: The Congress party tweets, “see you on the campaign trail in 2018!”
The Congress Party extends a huge thank you to the people of Himachal Pradesh & Gujarat for having faith in us and giving us their vote. Our congratulations to the Bharatiya Janta Party. However we aren't taking off our gloves just yet; see you on the campaign trail in 2018!
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 18, 2017
05:55pm:
05:18pm: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor congratulates new governments in both states (Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh)
Gracious concession by #CongressPresidentRahulGandhi: "@INCIndia accepts verdict of people &congratulates new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat&Himachal w/all my heart for love they showed me." Still, 77 seats,&pulling BJP below 100 in PM's home state: OK!
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 18, 2017
05:15pm: "I would like to give credit for this victory to the people of Gujarat, also give assurance that in the coming five years BJP will work towards what the people of the state want," says Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.
Press Conference @vijayRupaniBjp Live https://t.co/DVwzHb4xEP
— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) December 18, 2017
05:13pm: “This victory reiterates pan-India trust of people in the development agenda and policies of our government led by PM Narendra Modi ji,” says finance minister Arun Jaitley.
Congratulations to people of Gujarat, @BJP4India & @BJP4Gujarat Karyakartas on BJP winning the #GujaratAssemblyElections2017 This victory reiterates pan India trust of people in the development agenda & policies of our government led by PM @narendramodi ji.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) December 18, 2017
04:48pm: The battle is now neck-to-neck with the Election Commission declaring BJP’s victory in 72 seats while having a lead in 27 others; and Congress’ victory in 65 seats and the party’s lead in 12 others.
04:40pm: Congress senior leader Ashok Gehlot, the party's strategist for the Gujarat polls, said:
04:30pm: Rahul Gandhi concedes defeat; congratulates BJP for win
Taking to social media platform Twitter, Congress president Rahul Gandhi accepted the verdict of the polls in the two states.
The Congress party accepts the verdict of the people and congratulates the new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all my heart for the love they showed me.
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 18, 2017
The Gandhi scion also thanked the Congress cadres for their work during the elections and congratulated them for fighting against the BJP with"dignity".
My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congress’s greatest strength is its decency and courage.
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 18, 2017
04:10pm: Victory against casteism, appeasement and vote bank politics: Amit Shah
“BJP's victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh is a victory of PM Narendra Modi's development agenda and against the politics of casteism, appeasement and vote bank... This is a lesson to the parties which indulge in caste-politics and dynasty” said BJP president Amit Shah.
गुजरात और हिमाचल प्रदेश विधानसभा चुनावों में भाजपा की जीत..जातिवाद, वंशवाद और तुष्टीकरण के खिलाफ प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के विकासवाद की जीत है ।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 18, 2017
Addressing the media from the party headquarters in Delhi, the BJP president further went on to thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for bringing the saffron party to power. He added, "We have once again emerged triumphantly. I offer heartfelt gratitude to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh that they gave us another opportunity to serve them."
03:53pm: Former chief election commissioner TS Krishnamurthy said that EVMs are the “real winner” in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections and their “bashing” should stop now. “They [EVMs] have done their job well. After all, the Congress has increased its position. Some leaders of the BJP have been defeated. EVMs have served the purpose,” Krishnamurthy told PTI.
03:38pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh indicate a strong support for politics of good governance and development. I salute the hardworking BJP karyakartas in these states for their hard work which has led to these impressive victories. 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.”
03:27pm: The movement of indices today shows that much of that confidence in Modi's leadership is intact. Despite the economy suffering the double blow of demonetisation and GST, a looming agrarian crisis and lack of job opportunities, the trust in Modi's ability to steer the country through the economic mess holds. Read more:
Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017: Why markets reacted positively to BJP's win | https://t.co/K1tJS9voWO pic.twitter.com/p1wwQC87HS
— DailyO (@DailyO_) December 18, 2017
03:25pm: Amit Shah to brief press at 3:30pm
03:15pm: “There has been EVM tampering in Surat, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, which is why the gap is very less wherever tampering happened. EVMs can be hacked” said Hardik Patel. (via ANI)
03:13pm: More than five lakh people have opted for NOTA (none of the above) in Gujarat polls, close to 1.8 per cent of all voters.
03:10pm: BJP Union minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi shares map of the party’s victories throughout the country
Congratulations to PM Shri @narendramodi, BJP President Shri @AmitShah and all the workers of @BJP4India for victory in Gujarat & Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/WSszz7c1g6
— Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (@naqvimukhtar) December 18, 2017
02:48pm: As per EC poll tracker, BJP has won 28 seats and is leading in 70. Congress has won 21 seats and is leading in 57
02:40pm: Goa CM Manohar Parrikar pokes fun at Congress president Rahul Gandhi
"In his opening innings he scored zero" says Goa CM Manohar Parrikar on #RahulGandhi #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/CeKxX9HikR
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
02:30pm: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar taunts Congress on its Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat loss
गुजरात एवं हिमाचल प्रदेश विधान सभा चुनाव में जीत के लिए माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी जी एवं भारतीय जनता पार्टी को बधाई | गुजरात में जीत का दावा करने वाली कांग्रेस हिमांचल भी हार गयी!@narendramodi
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) December 18, 2017
02:27pm: Playing down BJP's victory in Gujarat, Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam has claimed the BJP's good showing in the state was down to the use of EVMs in the elections. He also termed electronic voting machines a "big threat to Indian democracy". (via PTI)
जो लोग यह कह रहे हैं कि गुजरात चुनाव में हार के डर से हम #EVM का हौव्वा खड़ा कर रहे हैं,उनसे सवाल-यूपी में मेयर चुनाव में #EVM था 95% सीटें #BJP जीती।बाक़ी चुनावों में बैलट पेपर था,85% सीटें #BJP हारी।50% सीटों पर #BJP की ज़मानत ज़ब्त हो गई।क्या यह संयोग था ?
— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) December 17, 2017
I still stand by this tweet. This would have been the result if #EVM would not have been tampered.#GujaratElection https://t.co/FRsvaV6sLq
— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) December 18, 2017
02:20pm: Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Yadav of the Janata Dal (United) congratulated INC and party president Rahul Gandhi on “his improvement"
Congratulate Sh Rahul Gandhi & d Congress party for decent improvement in seats in Gujarat assembly election. Also congratulate Mr. Chhotobhai Vasava our candidate of B.T.P who won two seats out of four. Its visible now that our united efforts can give strong fight to opponents.
— SHARAD YADAV (@SharadYadavMP) December 18, 2017
02:18pm: Rajya Sabha MP Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janashakti Party congratulates PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah on Gujarat victory
Hearty Congratulations to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and BJP president Shri Amit Shah Ji for comprehensive victory of BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections. @narendramodi @AmitShah
— Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) December 18, 2017
02:15pm: As per the EC poll tracker
02:05pm: “People all over the world have appreciated the Gujarat model but Congress has raised questions. This is a lesson for the Congress and the opposition parties,” said UP CM Yogi Adityanath. (via IANS)
1:58:pm BJP leads in 103 Assembly seats, Congress in 72, and others in 6
1:57:pm Congress would've done better if it allied with NCP: Praful Patel (via ANI)
1:56:pm 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: Nirmala Sitharaman (via ANI)
1:55:pm Abhi toh kuch nahi bolunga kyunki woh haal hi mein adhyaksh bane hain lekin 'sar mundwate hi ole pade': Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Rahul Gandhi (via ANI)
Delhi: Union Minister Rajnath Singh flashes victory sign outside Parliament as trends indicate BJP's victory in both Gujarat & Himachal Pradesh #GujaratVerdict #HimachalPradeshElections2017 pic.twitter.com/8x8q5gGNsp
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
01:50pm: Sitting BJP MLA Ketan Inamdar retains Savli Assembly seat in Vadodara district by margin of 41, 219 votes. (via India Today)
13:48pm: Former chief election commissioners speak about EVM tampering
"#EVMs cannot be tampered with, even in the future. I am very clear about this. During my time, BJP had raised doubts on EVM so we had also held a demonstration like earlier this year for all to come and try rig it" says Naveen Chawla, former CEC pic.twitter.com/xXRpduibUK
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
"EVMs are stand alone machines, aren't connected to any network, can't be influenced over Bluetooth or wireless message,so to say EVMs have something wrong is absolutely incorrect. It's only a glorified calculator, moment you open it, it goes dead" says N Gopalaswami, Former CEC pic.twitter.com/jKWQiV5Gky
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
01:43pm: So far, the EC has declared BJP’s victory in 11 constituencies, Congress in 9 and NCP in 1. According to their numbers, BJP is leading in 91 seats while Congress in 66.
01:44pm: BJP candidate Shailesh Mehta Sotta, who said, “If someone with dadhi-topi [beard and cap] is among the people here, forgive me, but their number here has to reduce,” wins Dabhoi Assembly constituency in Vadodara defeating Siddharth Patel of Congress.
01:35pm: As per India Today
01:22pm: Updates from the EC poll tracker
01:20pm: "I firmly believe that our EVMs, VVPATs cannot be tampered with. This matter should be closed once and for all as it is tried and tested. EVM is a standalone machine, question of hacking doesn't arise," – HS Brahma, the former Chief Election Commissioner of India. (via ANI)
01:12pm: Alpesh Thakor of Congress wins from Radhanpur. BJP now ahead in 102 seats. Congress leads in 76 seats.
01:07pm: As BJP is inching towards victory, the party's Delhi unit celebrated with a cake that had photos of mushrooms on it. A clear message to Alpesh Thakor, who made a jibe at PM Modi saying, “Modi ji eats mushrooms from Taiwan and one mushroom costs Rs 80,000 and he eats five mushrooms every day.”
गुजरात चुनाव में इस बार मशरूम का मुद्दा भी खूब छाया रहा। पीएम मोदी पर मशरूम के ज़रिए कटाक्ष किये गए थे, लेकिन गुजरात मे एक बार फिर बीजेपी की सरकार बनने पर तेजिंदर बग्गा मशरूम केक से लोगों का मुह मीठा कराते देखे गए। @ReporterRavish की रिपोर्ट। #ReporterDiary#GujaratVerdict pic.twitter.com/URgVA5lpm3
— आज तक (@aajtak) December 18, 2017
12:58pm: Ram Singh Parmar who joined BJP after quitting Congress losses Thasra seat in Gujarat. (via India Today)
12:57pm: According to the EC, so far 4,52,245 voters (1.8 per cent) in Gujarat have opted for NOTA.
12:54pm: UP CM Yogi Adityanath told ANI, “Maine pehle hi kaha tha ki Congress ka netritve badalna BJP ke liye shubh sanket hoga (I had correctly predicted that Congress’ change in leadership is good sign for BJP).
12:45pm: Live on Aaj Tak
आजतक लाया है #GujaratVerdict से जुड़ा हर अपडेट #LiveOnTwitter #ElectionResults @TwitterIndia देखिए: https://twitte… https://t.co/smJTJLrw8J
— आज तक (@aajtak) December 18, 2017
12:42pm: Union minister Smriti Irani tells ANI, “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 and the people who trusted development."
12:30pm: Vote share according to EC – BJP (49.4 per cent 110,02,569) and Congress (41.3 per cent, 92,01,601)
12:25pm: BJP’s Purnesh Modi wins Surat West, Congress’ Vansh Punjabhai wins Una.
12:21pm: BJP vote share hits 50 per cent, a rise of two per cent over 2012
Interestingly BJP voteshare hits 50%, a rise of 2% over 2012, despite Hardik Patel-Jignesh Mevani-Alpesh Thakor caste coalition supporting Cong
— Minhaz Merchant (@MinhazMerchant) December 18, 2017
12:19pm: EC's Gujarat tracker
12:17pm: India Today's Gujarat tracker
12:15pm: BJP's Jitu Vaghani wins from Bhavnagar West. (via India Today)
12:13pm: Gujarat deputy CM Nitinbhai Patel wins Mehsana seat.
Congratulations to Guj Dy, CM Shri @Nitinbhai_Patel for winning #Mehsana seat in #GujaratElection2017. It is a triumph of the Politics of Progress over petty casteism. pic.twitter.com/tq1KwSgwR0
— Varshaben Doshi MLA (@VarshabenDoshi) December 18, 2017
12:05pm: Jignesh Mevani wins Vadgam seat. (via India Today)
11:58am: Celebrations at BJP office
Scene at BJP Headquarter in #Delhi as trends indicate party's victory in both #Himachal and #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/x1LKJMGnta
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
11:54:am: Congress's Arjun Modhwadiya loses from Porbandar to BJP's Babubhai Bokhiriya by 1855 votes (via ANI)
11:45:am: EC Official trends: BJP leading on 105 seats, Congress on 69, Bhartiya Tribal Party on 2, NCP on 1 & Independent candidates on 4 seats.
11:42:am: Election Commission official tracker shows BJP leading in 103 seats (and victorious in one), while Congress in 72.
11:39am: Congress Party's Arjun Modhwadia trailing by 1800 votes from Porbandar. (via EC)
11:37am:
BJP retains its hold on Ahmedabad. Currently leading on 17 of 21 seats in Ahmedabad district. Meanwhile, BJP leading on 13 of the 16 seats in Surat district. BJP has lost two seats in Surat over its 2012 tally. In Vadodra BJP leading on 9 of 10 seats in district. 90% strike rate
— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) December 18, 2017
11:24am:
BJP is leading on a whopping 43 of the 55 urban seats of Gujarat. BJP’s strike rate on urban seats is a massive 78%. Congress has managed to make inroads into only 12 urban seats. Net net BJP has lost two of the urban seats it won last time.
— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) December 18, 2017
In urban Gujarat Congress has gained 6% vote share in comparison with 2012 polls, but is still 8% behind the BJP. BJP’s vote share on urban seats is 54%. Congress’ vote share is 42%. BJP has lost 2% vote share. Cong has done better than in previous elections but gap is still huge
— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) December 18, 2017
11:22am: Sensex moves with election results, as BJP recovers in Gujarat, markets in green
Sensex fell by over 600 points this morning as initial trends showed a neck-and-neck contest in the Gujarat election, but recovered as the BJP came from behind to establish a commanding lead over the Congress. The figure last recorded according to an India Today report was 209.22.
11:10am: Celebrations in BJP headquarters
Delhi: Party workers celebrate at party HQ, as trends indicate BJP's victory in both Gujarat & Himachal Pradesh #GujaratVerdict #HimachalPradeshElections2017 pic.twitter.com/BDJxPcB6hN
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
#MadhyaPradesh: BJP celebrates at party office in #Bhopal as trends indicate BJP's victory in both Gujarat & Himachal Pradesh #GujaratVerdict #HimachalPradeshElections2017 pic.twitter.com/2DB4QrrYqn
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
11:07am: Updates from the EC tracker
11:03am: Jignesh Mevani leading by 10,785 in Vadgam. (Via India Today)
10:56am: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani wins Rajkot West against Congress' Indranil Rajguru. (via reports)
10:52am: As per EC tracker, BJP ahead on 100 seats, Congress leading on 70.
10:49am:
#WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flashes victory sign as he arrives at the Parliament. #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/Q4PRNjMpoK
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
10:30am: “Ultimately BJP is going to register victory. Contrary to early trends, BJP is leading almost everywhere now”: Gujarat deputy CM Nitinbhai Patel who is presently trailing by over 2000 votes from Mahesana. (via ANI)
10:20am: According to the EC, so far 1,23,174 voters (1.9 per cent) in Gujarat have opted for NOTA.
10:16am: India Today's live tracker
10:10am: Election Commission official tracker shows BJP leading in 94 seats, while Congress in 64. (Status known for 163 out of 182 constituencies so far, as per website)
10:02am: Partywise vote share in a pie chart, according to the Election Commission's official tracker
10:00am: According to the Election Commission's official partywise tracker
9:57am:
Congress leads on all four seats of Gir-Somnath ! Significant tred from Koli dominated areas. #Gujarat2017
— anshuman tiwari (@anshuman1tiwari) December 18, 2017
9:45am: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani (BJP) leading by 7600 votes from Rajkot West, at the end of Counting round 3. (Via ANI)
9:42am: "The mood of the people of Gujarat will lead Congress to victory, can't comment much on initial trends; let the final results come," says state party in-charge Ashok Gehlot. (Via ANI)
9:39am: India Today’s live broadcast:
9:36am: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani trails by 6234 in Rajkot West. (via Aaj Tak)
9:29am: BJP's Nitinbhai Patel (deputy CM of Gujarat) trailing by over 3000 votes from Mahesana. (Source: ANI)
9:24am:
Sensex down by 600.51 points, currently at 32,862.46. Nifty at 10,134.35
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
9:19am: Congress leads in 85 seats, ahead of BJP in Gujarat for the first time.
9:16am: According to India Today's tracker, BJP leads with 83 seats, while Congress is not far behind with 82.
#ResultTV by @rahulkanwal - India Today's special broadcast on #GujaratVerdict for its mobile audience https://t.co/Iv2n2wklRq pic.twitter.com/F0tlCzCc9j
— India Today (@IndiaToday) December 18, 2017
Perhaps, one of the most important assembly elections in the country, the Gujarat polls have been surrounded by questions, allegations and mud-slinging right from the start.
While the ruling party, BJP, has an obvious advantage, with it being Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state, the Congress party has been able give the party some stiff competition, especially in the form of their star trio – Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani.
According to India Today-Axis My India exit polls, the BJP is expected to get 99-113 seats in the crucial Gujarat Assembly elections, the actual results of which are scheduled to be declared on Monday, December 18.
The Congress is expected to get 68-82 seats in Gujarat this year, a gain of almost 10-16 seats from last year's 61, which will certainly be attributed to Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi's well-fought campaign, but which may not be enough to break the BJP's unbroken stint of sixth consecutive win in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state.
Will the BJP, Narendra Modi’s “development” agenda, the mandir rhetoric and attacks on former prime ministers win? Or will Rahul Gandhi’s reformed image, the Congress party playing with soft Hindutva and the charismatic Dalit, Patidar and Thakor leaders affect the outcome? Let’s find out.