Gujarat Election HIGHLIGHTS: Ahmedabad Administration Readies Evac Plan Ahead Of PM Modi's Ballot
Gujarat Election 2022 News Live: The first phase to elect 182 members of the 15th Gujarat Legislative Assembly concluded on December 1 and polling for the second phase will take place on December 5.
10,000 police personnel, 6000 home guards, 112 companies of central forces, 15 companies of SRP deployed. Area domination, route march, and flag march taking place in sensitive areas, and paramilitary forces are also deployed in such areas. Efforts are underway to catch absconding criminals. CCTV cameras, body cameras and drones used for keeping surveillance: Komal Vyas, DCP.
Shabbir Ahmed Siddiqui, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad, has said: "Those who give election tickets to Muslim women are against Islam, weakening the religion. Are there no men left?"
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday took a swipe at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal alleging that he and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi are the "B and C teams" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "Asaduddin Owaisi and Arvind Kejriwal are the B and C team of BJP," Baghel said while speaking to ANI. He further took on the AAP chief and said that the people of Himachal Pradesh, where Assembly elections were recently held, have "rejected" Kejriwal.
"The people of Himachal rejected Arvind Kejriwal, then he reached Gujarat, the people of Gujarat also rejected Arvind Kejriwal, now he is in Delhi's MCD elections, clearly Arvind Kejriwal and Owaisi Working as B and C team of Bharatiya Janata Party," he said. Baghel exuded confidence in Congress performing well in the Gujarat Assembly elections, where the second phase of voting will be held tomorrow, Baghel said that the people will vote on the issues of unemployment and inflation.
"One phase of polling has been done in Gujarat. The second phase is going to be held. The people of Gujarat are troubled by unemployment and inflation. So the general public will vote on their issues and Congress will do well," he said.
"There are good signs for Congress from Himachal and we have full confidence that the people of Himachal have voted for Congress and in the results of December 8, Congress government will be formed in Himachal," Baghel added.
Fire officers will be on standby and an emergency evacuation plan has been prepared for PM Narendra Modi ahead of the second phase of Gujarat assembly polls. PM Modi will cast his vote in the Gujarat Assembly polls tomorrow at Ranip polling booth. Aniruddh Gadhvi, Chief Fire Officer, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation said: "An alternative route has been planned for traffic movement in Ahmedabad.
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday got emotional talking about Bilkis Bano while campaigning in Gujarat's Jamalpur. Speaking to ANI, he said that he got emotional as thoughts of his own sisters and daughters crossed his mind while he was talking about Bilkis.
"We are humans after and are prone to get emotional. While I was talking about Bilkis Bano, throughts of my own sister and daughter crossed to my mind. She was pregnant when she was raped and her mother and daughter were also killed. However, even after 20 years, she is still fighting for justice. If someone doesn't feel the pain, he is not worthy of being called human," he said.
On why the 2002 post-Godhra riots and the Bilkis Bano case are getting traction in the campaign phases of the ongoing Assembly elections, Owaisi said, "The BJP will never forget 2002. PM Modi was the chief minister at the time. He failed to save Bilkis Bano, Ehsaan Jafri, and those killed in the bakery. Around 50,000 people in the state were forced to become refugees. I, too, went there with a medical team. So, if PM Modi is invoking all that had happened then, congratulations to him," he said.
Talking about his party's prospects in the polls, the AIMIM chief said, "We are fighting for 13 seats in Vidhan Sabha and our focus is on winning them. We have worked very hard, visited every locality and have got a great response from the public. I hope that this support turns into votes and our candidates become MLAs."
As the first phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections wound up, the Bharatiya Janata Party State unit president CR Patil on Sunday forecasted the party's win by saying that BJP will win most of the seats.
Addressing a press briefing in 'Kamalam', the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Gandhinagar, he said, "I want to thank the people of Gujarat for a peaceful first phase of the election. I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and all party workers, who campaigned for the BJP in the state in helping the party reach the helm of Gujarat."
On BJP's rival party, Congress, State unit president Patil said, "I will not like to comment on Congress's formula of making Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, but one thing is predestined that BJP is forming the government after conclusion of the polls.
Polling parties gather at an EVM distribution center in Gandhinagar ahead of the second phase of Gujarat Assembly Polls tomorrow.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that today India is free from terrorism, naxalism, and separatism. He said while addressing a rally in Dholka, that this is proof of India’s increasing prestige.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took a jibe at PM Modi over the latter's election campaign in Gujarat. He said that PM has left all work and is campaigning in Gujarat.
"Does he want to become CM," tweeted Congress.
The Congress party on Saturday promised to make 3000 English medium schools and provide a debt waiver of up to Rs 3 lakh to farmers in the state if it comes to power.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up on Friday his Gujarat election campaign for the BJP. In total, PM Modi addressed over 31 rallies and led three big road shows in Gujarat. Saturday is the last day for campaign, with the second and final phase of the polls for 93 seats set for December 5. The first phase of the polls for 89 seats were held on December 1.
A key highlight of Modi's public outreach was his roadshow in Ahmedabad on Thursday which BJP described as the "longest and largest" in the country. BJP claimed it covered around 50 kilometres and passed through 13 assembly seats of the city and one in Gandhinagar.
Vadgam, an SC-reserved Assembly segment in Gujarat, is considered an easy seat to win for the Congress owing to its demographic profile with high number of Muslim and Dalit voters. But retaining it will not be easy for sitting MLA Jignesh Mevani, who is contesting from the grand old party this time, PTI reported.
Although Mevani himself is confident of his victory, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and political analysts feel otherwise. They say that things would be difficult for Mevani as the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Asaduddin Owaisi-headed All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) would divide the Congress's votes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Congress alleging tampering of Electronic Voting Machines is an indication that it has already accepted defeat in the Gujarat Assembly elections, PTI reported. "The way Congress has started blaming EVMs after yesterday's voting in Kutch, Saurashtra and south Gujarat, it is evident the opposition party has conceded defeat and has accepted that the BJP will win the election. Alleging EVM tampering is an indication the Congress is on its way out," said Modi.
He was speaking at an election rally in Patan town of north Gujarat where voting will be held along with remaining 92 seats on December 5. "The Congress knows only two things, abuse Modi ahead of polls to please the voters and then blame EVMs after voting. This proves the Congress has accepted defeat," the prime minister said.
The Aam Aadmi Party, in a tweet, has promised to make contractual employees permanent and end the contract practice in Gujarat.
It has also assured to implement 'Equal Work-Equal Pay' structure in the state.
Political parties have intensified their campaigning for the second and last phase of polling for the Gujarat assembly elections.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will address public rallies in Bhiloda and Gandhinagar South today.
PM Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah also have back-to-back rallies in the state.
Voting for the first phase of Gujarat Assembly Polls concluded on Thursday with a voter turnout of 60.2 percent. The polling was largely peaceful with a few stray incidents of violence. The fate of 788 candidates, including 339 independents, was sealed in the electronic voting machines in the first phase
Famous Bollywood actor Rahul Dev has joined in the election campaign supporting the Congress party. The actor was seen addressing a rally in Gujarat's Somnath for the Congress candidate Vimal Chudasama.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has slammed Congress and the party's chief Mallikarjun Kharge for using inappropriate words for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said, "Words used by Congress chief Kharge for PM isn't only his mentality but the result of entire Congress's mentality."
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi will be addressing rallies in Gujarat's Anand and Godhra today evening.
BJP Chief JP Nadda has said that there is no work of 'Jhaadu' in Gujarat as "the environment here is clean".
Talking to a news channel on Wednesday, he said, "BJP has done development work here. PM Modi put a strong foundation of development here and Bhupendra Patel has carried it forward."
The Aam Aadmi Party has submitted a complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer, Gujarat accusing the Bharatiya Janta Party of printing fake leaflets in AAP's name.
In the 2017 Assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 99 of the total 182 seats. The party has been in power in the state for the last 27 years.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that dogs have a higher value in the Congress party in comparison to humans.
Sarma's comment came as a reaction to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's tea remark. Earlier on Sunday, Kharge stoked a controversy with his remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Kharge, while addressing a public rally at Dediapada in the tribal-dominated Narmada district of poll-bound Gujarat, said, "A person like you (PM Modi) claims to be poor. I am also poor, I am one of the untouchables. People drank your tea, nobody would've had my tea."
"Then you say that you are poor and somebody abuses you. If you say it for sympathy, then people have become smarter now. People will hear if you lie once or twice, but how many times will you lie? He's the leader of lies..," Kharge added.
Earlier on Monday, Sarma told ANI, "Mallikarjun Kharge said, no one has tea with me. So maybe Rahul Gandhi doesn't have tea with Kharge Ji and Congress follows such practices. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi should tweet a backdated picture in which he could be seen having tea with Mallikarjun Kharge."
"What I feel is that dogs have a higher value in the Congress party in comparison to humans. So Mallikarjun Kharge's comment that no one has tea with me may be partially correct," Sarma added. Sarma addressed a press conference in Ahmedabad, the capital of the poll-bound state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed a series of public meetings in Gujarat on Monday ahead of the Assembly election, received a rapturous response from people in Surat, where the crowd flashed their mobile phone flashlights at his rally. During the rally, PM Modi urged people to ensure BJP's victory. "I am not here with you in the capacity of Prime Minister Modi but as your brother Modi. I have come here to meet you," he said.
PM Modi held rallies in Jamnagar and Rajkot on Monday. During his address, PM spoke about the steps taken to boost 'ease of living', improve the water situation in Saurashtra, efforts for MSMEs, and other development work.
He said, "Bharatiya Janata Party is a party connected to the soil, a party raised from among the common man, a party rooted in ideas. During the time of Congress, there was corruption and the money of the country was wasted. The BJP government has worked to save every bit of people's hard work."
Jay Narayan Vyas, who quit BJP earlier this month, arrives at the Congress office in Ahmedabad, reported news agency ANI.
While addressing a public rally in poll-bound Gujarat, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that "he is the leader of lies".
"...A person like you (PM Modi) claims to be poor. I'm (Kharge) one of the untouchables. People drank your tea, nobody would've had my tea...If you say it for sympathy, people are smart. How many times will you lie? He's the leader of lies..." Kharge said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold four rallies in poll-bound Gujarat today where elections are due next month. The rallies will be held in Palitana in Bhavnagar, Anjar in Kutch, Jamnagar, and Rajkot, reported news agency ANI.
Union Minister Amit Shah will also be in the state today holding four rallies in Mehsana's Kheralu seat, Vadodara's Savlii seat Bhilloda in Aravalli, and Naranpura seat in Ahmedabad district.
Of the total 1,621 candidates that will be contesting the Gujarat Assembly elections, only 139 are women candidates, reported news agency PTI. The Bharatiya Janata Party has given tickets to 18 women candidates as against 12 in 2017, while the Congress has fielded 14 women although that figure was 10 in the last Assembly election. The two parties have also accommodated more number of women candidates from Dalit and tribal communities this time, the report added.
Among other parties, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which fielded its candidates on all 182 - of whom one candidate withdrew from the race - has given tickets to only six women candidates and three of them are contesting on Scheduled Tribe (ST)-reserved seats.
The All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which is contesting on 13 seats, has given tickets to two women, including one from Muslim and another from Dalit community. It has fielded one Zainabbibi Shaikh from Vejalpur and Kaushikaben Parmar from Danilimda. Both the seats are in Ahmedabad city.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded 13 women candidates for the upcoming polls. It is fighting 101 seats.
Ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath targeted Arvind Kejriwal saying he is a "true benevolent of terrorism". Speaking at Gir Somnath, he said, "PM Modi's govt has eradicated terrorism from the country and AAP's 'namoona' who has come from Delhi is a true benevolent of terrorism. He opposes Ram mandir in Ayodhya, he asks soldiers for proof of a strike in Pakistan," reported news agency ANI.
The political atmosphere in Gujarat is set to intensify as the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party will be on the battleground to campaign for their respective parties in the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold three public meetings today in Netrang, Kheda, and Surat whereas Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will be on a 2-day visit to the state and will hold rallies in Narmada and Ahmedabad along with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
Meanwhile, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal will be in Jamnagar today where he will hold a road show in its debut contest.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath campaigns in Ahmedabad, ahead of upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections.
Will Rahul Gandhi's Photo With Medha Patkar Benefit Or Harm Congress? Weekly survey of ABP News finds it out.
Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel holds roadshow in Ahmedabad.
Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda on Saturday said that the party will ensure the complete implementation of the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Committee’s recommendation. In his address during the launch of BJP's manifesto for the Gujarat Assembly polls, Nadda also said that a law pertaining to damages to public property will also be made. The law will be regarding recovery from anti-social elements that damage public property and attack private property.
He also said that, if voted back to power, the state government will create an anti-radicalisation cell to identify and eliminate potential threats, and sleeper cells of the terrorist organisations and anti-India forces.
For the progress of Gujarat, we will make Gujarat's economy equal to that of a 1 trillion economy by making the state a foreign direct investment destination, he added.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, BJP national president JP Nadda and state party president CR Paatil release BJP's manifesto for Gujarat Assembly polls.
Bharat Jodo, I think it is useless. After the scrapping of Article 370, the entire India became one. Congress doesn't want to win, that's what I felt while staying in the party: Jawahar Chavda, a BJP candidate from Manavadar who had quit Congress and joined BJP in 2019. He also said, for the last 32 years I'm here and won around 5 polls. AAP is nowhere in the picture. Congress is trying its level best. It's easier for me to win this time as I proved what power can do and how I can help people: Jawahar Chavda, BJP candidate from Manavadar
Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks that the BJP had "taught a lesson to rioters in 2002" All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday said the lesson the party imparted was that "Bilkis' rapists will be freed."
"What lesson did Amit Shah teach in 2002? Lessons from Naroda Patiya? Lessons from Gulbarga? Best bakery lesson? Lessons from Bilkis Bano?"
Owaisi said in a tweet while sharing a clip from campaigning for the AIMIM's Vejalpur candidate in Juhapura. "Amit Shah today gave a statement during a public rally that they taught a lesson to the rioters of Gujarat in 2002 and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) established permanent peace in the state. I want to tell the MP of this (Ahmedabad) constituency, I want to tell India's Union Home Minister, that the lesson you taught in 2002 was that Bilkis' rapists will be freed by you. The lesson you taught was that you will free the murderers of Bilkis' three-year-old daughter. You also taught us that Ahsan Jafri can be killed. You taught the lesson of Gulbarga bakery, you taught the lesson of Best bakery lesson...which lessons of yours will we remember Amit Shah sahab?" said Owaisi.
"Remember the seat of power is snatched from all. Drunk with power, India's home minister is saying they taught a lesson... Amit Shah sahab, what lesson did you teach that Delhi communal riots occurred?...," added Owaisi.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is all set for a jampacked poll campaigning in two districts of South Gujarat on Saturday ahead of state Assembly elections.
Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will address a huge public meeting in two districts -Olpad in Surat and Dediapada in Narmada today. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's public rally at Olpad in Surat District is scheduled to be held at 3:00 pm and in Narmada district's Dediapada at 4:45 pm.
Notably, Congress leader Imram Pratapgadhi will also address one public meeting at Mangrol, and two public meetings at Amreli on Saturday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday during his public rally in Ahmedabad said that after 2002, Gujarat had been a safe place as not a single day of curfew has been imposed and that Congress, incites communal riots, has no right to talk about peace.
Amit Shah while campaigning for BJP candidate from Naroda said, "Congress is talking about peace, does it suit them? For years they ruled here in Gujarat and the entire Gujarat was under communal riots. BJP after coming to power in the state gave such governance that communal riots have completely stopped. In 2002, they tried to incite it again, but BJP took such action that till 2022 no communal riots have taken place in the state and not a single day of curfew has been imposed."
"Congress ruled Gujarat for several years, and it is them who incited communal riots in the state," Shah added. Further targeting Congress, Shah said, "They have put up hoardings stating 'Kaam Bolta Hai' (Our work speaks for itself) but Congress is not in the state for three decades (from 1990 to 2022), Congress has not won a single election, so how did they work here?"
Their hoardings say "Opened up schools, provided electricity in every village for 24 hours, provided drinking water, developed agriculture sector, brought industrial finance and established peace in Gujarat." "Arrey Bhai, all these works have been done, but instead of the 'Panja' (election symbol of Congress), there should be lotus (election symbol of BJP)," Shah added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat established peace in the state and "taught a lesson" to the anti-social elements or rioters in 2002.
According to the Union Home Minister, earlier incidents of riots and violence were common in Gujarat as the Congress party encouraged it.
Addressing a rally in Mahudha town of Kheda district, Amit Shah said, "Earlier riots used to happen during the days of Congress, but the year 2002 (during Modi government) was the last year when some anti-social elements tried to incite riots and they were 'taught a lesson and thrown out of Gujarat," adding that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) established "permanent peace" in the state.
Gujarat witnessed large-scale violence in 2002 following a train burning incident at Godhra railway station. Around 58 people lost their lives when some coaches of Sabarmati Express were torched at the Godhra Railway Station in Gujarat on February 27, 2002. The incident triggered large-scale riots in Gujarat.
Shah also launched a series of attacks against Congress for ignoring the tribal communities for years. "Due to the Vanbandhu scheme of the Modi government, the income of 7 lakh tribals has doubled, water check dams have been built in their extension and tribals have been provided with the facility to take three crops in a year. The Congress Party made a provision of 900 crores for the tribals in their last budget, while Bhupendra Patel made a provision of one lakh crore in the previous budget for the tribals.
BJP to release manifesto for Gujarat elections on Saturday. It will be released at Gujarat BJP headquarters in Gandhinagar. BJP chief JP Nadda, CM Bhupendra Patel and CR Patil will release the manifesto at 10:30 am.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia on Friday again alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was conspiring to kill Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and that he will submit a complaint regarding the same to the Election Commission. The Delhi Deputy Chief Minister also demanded that BJP's Manoj Tiwari be arrested for his "threat" against the AAP national convenor.
"Manoj Tiwari has threatened Kejriwal, which makes it clear that BJP is conspiring to murder Arvind Kejriwal. The way Manoj Tiwari ji has spoken yesterday, it was an open threat that after failing to trap Kejriwal through various attempts has now come to the level of killing him.
Manoj Tiwari is asserting for the sake of saying that he (Delhi CM) can be attacked by anyone, how did he know? This needs to be investigated hence will file a complaint with Election Commission and an FIR," Sisodia said addressing a press conference today.
Meanwhile, responding to Sisodia's allegations today, Tiwari, while addressing a press conference in the national capital, said that he had only "expressed his concern" for the safety of the Delhi Chief Minister.
"I have only expressed my concern towards Kejriwal's safety. His MLAs are being beaten and one of the party's workers has died, the situation is of concern to me. This script of murder and threat to murder by AAP is an old one, only the year changes, their allegations remain same," Tiwari said displaying printouts of the previous similar allegations by the AAP.
In a tweet yesterday, the Delhi Deputy CM said that the BJP was scared of losing upcoming elections and hence was "conspiring to kill" CM Kejriwal through MP Manoj Tiwari and his "goons".
"Due to the fear of defeat in Gujarat and MCD elections, BJP is planning to kill Arvind Kejriwal with their MP Manoj Tiwari openly asking his goons to attack Arvind ji. The AAP is not afraid of their petty politics, the public will answer for their hooliganism," Sisodia tweeted in Hindi.
Sisodia's tweets followed BJP MP Tiwari's tweets on the same day in which he said he was worried for the Delhi CM because of anger among AAP party workers regarding tickets for the elections and allegations of corruption.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday called out Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for his derogatory remarks and said that the allegations made by the Rajashtan CM were "baseless".
"Ashok Gehlot is a senior and experienced leader, I don't know who is advising him to level false, baseless allegations against me. Today it is required to strengthen the party," said Congress leader Sachin Pilot while talking to ANI. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called state Congress leader Sachin Pilot a "traitor" and said he can never become the state's, Chief Minister.
Taking a dig at CM Gehlot's statement, Pilot said that BJP was badly defeated in Rajasthan when he was the state party chief. "BJP was badly defeated in Rajasthan when I was the state party president. Still, the Congress president gave him another chance to Gehlot to become CM. Today the priority should be on how we can again win the Rajasthan election," he said.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot called the accusations unjustified at a time when the party needs to stand together against the BJP and support Bharat Jodo Yatra to make it successful. "Rahul Gandhi is on Bharat Jodo Yatra and we all need to jointly make the yatra successful. The only party that can challenge BJP is Congress. We need to challenge BJP in all ruling states," said Pilot.
Common Gujaratis, even backward classes, associate themselves with Hindutva and it cannot be disassociated from social justice, BJP leader Alpesh Thakor said on Thursday. Thakor, who is contesting the upcoming Assembly polls from Gandhinagar South, said OBC issues were still the most important for him and many of them have been addressed by the BJP, PTI reported.
As many as 167 candidates, of the total 788 contesting 89 seats in the first phase of Gujarat Assembly election, are facing criminal cases, with the Aam Aadmi Party topping the list with 32 such nominees, followed by the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said on Thursday. Of the 167 candidates with criminal cases, 100 are facing serious charges like murder or rape, it said.
Dwarka Assembly seat should be considered one of the safest bets for BJP in the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections. The reason is Pabubha Manek, an MLA who has not lost a single election in the last 32 years. BJP has entrusted Manek, to win the seat for the party for the third straight time.
Pabubha Manek, who has never lost an election since 1990, won the first three elections as an independent (1990, 95, 98), then joined the Congress and won the seat in 2002. Later, he won the Assembly elections of 2007, 2012 and 2017 on a BJP ticket.
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Manek, claiming the support and affection of all communities in the constituency, said that he has been "selected and not elected" for this long. "I am selected, not elected. I have been winning the Dwarka seat for the last eight terms, out of which I was an independent candidate three times, a Congress candidate once and now in BJP. I have got the affection of all the communities," he said.
In the 2017 Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections, Pabubha Manek of the BJP had defeated Ahir Kandoria Mulubhai Ranmalbhai of the Indian National Congress. Manek got a total of 73,431 votes while Ahir Markhi got 67,692 votes.
Taking note of the recent expulsions done by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chief Minister Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led party has "changed too". He also highlighted the number of MLAs that " rebelled" in various states. "At least 33 MLAs in Gujarat and 21 in Himachal have rebelled. PM Modi's party is not the same as it was, it has changed too, people have started speaking up," said Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot while addressing a media briefing.
His remarks came after the BJP recently suspended twelve rebels in disciplinary action, who had filed their nominations as independent candidates after being denied tickets by the ruling party in the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections. All of the twelve rebels were seeking tickets in the Assembly election.
This is the second list of rebels who have been suspended in Gujarat after the party suspended seven rebels on Sunday.
Ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls slated for next month, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Congress and said its leader Rahul Gandhi is anti-Gujarati.
Nadda's remarks came in light of activist Medha Patkar, who spearheaded the Narmada Bachao Aandolan to prevent the displacement of locals due to the water of the Dam, joining Rahul Gandhi during the Maharashtra leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI, Nadda said, "I believe that Gujarat will break records this time. Gujarat has developed and emerged in many fields this is the reason why people will vote for us again. Medha Patkar has always taken a stand for anti-development. Rahul Gandhi standing next to her means he is also anti-Gujarati."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said his dream is to make Gujarat the world's biggest hub for production of "the fuel of the future" green hydrogen and the state's coastline will become a preferred destination for the sector which is expected to attract an investment of Rs 8 to 10 lakh crore. He also informed that Vedanta-Foxconn's mega semiconductor plant, announced in September, is coming up in the Dholera Special Investment Region in Ahmedabad district with an investment of Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The PM was addressing a poll rally -- his fourth of the day -- in Bhavnagar.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said the Gujarat assembly election results will be surprising, PTI reported. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the state for campaigning every week, while Union Minister Amit Shah is camping there. "This is their condition in their home state. I believe that the results in Gujarat Assembly election may be surprising," Gehlot, who is the senior observer for the state election, said.
Union Home Minister and BJP MP Amit Shah on Wednesday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's gesture of taking along anti-Narmada activist Medha Patkar during his Bharat Jodo Yatra is the "biggest insult" meted out to Gujarat's people by the Opposition party. Addressing a poll rally in Jasdan town in Rajkot district, Shah said, "Medha Patkar, who had stalled the Narmada dam project through litigation, is now walking with Congress' prince Rahul Gandhi. The party owes an answer to the people. This is akin to sprinkling salt on the wounds of the people of Gujarat."
The manner in which BJP won in UP, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa and formed governments once again, it will similarly form governments once again in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat: Union Minister Anurag Thakur arrives in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
In the last 20 years, Gujarat has changed a lot. Today's generation does not know the scarcity Gujarat faced. This generation has not seen scarcity. For this, the previous generation has worked hard: PM Narendra Modi in Mehsana.
Rs 75 lakhs cash seized from a car during vehicle checking in wake of Gujarat Elections 2022. Two people were nabbed, the car was impounded.
When I brought NCP here in 2012, nobody knew about it. I contested and won twice. People voted on my name. I resigned from the party, and everybody followed and resigned. NCP is finished in Gujarat. I've now hopped on bicycle. says Kandhal Jadeja, SP candidate from Kutiyana.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended twelve rebels in disciplinary action, who had filed their nominations as independent candidates after being denied tickets by the ruling party in the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections. All of the twelve rebels were seeking tickets in the Assembly election.
This is the second list of rebels who have been suspended after the party suspended seven rebels on Sunday. "These MLAs have been suspended for six years for having indulged in antiparty activities," a BJP communication reveals quoting state president C.R Paatil. Of those BJP leaders who have been suspended include Dinubhai Patel from Padra, Madhubhai Shrivastav from Vaghodia, and Kuldeep Sinh Raul, all three from the Vadodara district.
B Pagi from Shahera in Panchmahal district, Dhawal Sinh Jhala from Aravalli district, and Ram Sinh Thakor from Mehsana have also been suspended. Two each have been suspended from Anand, Banaskantha, and Mahisagar districts. Manavjibhai Desai and L Thakor are from Banaskantha, SM Baant and JP Patel are from Mahisagar and Ramesh Jhala and Amarshi Bhai Jhala have also been suspended from Anand district.
The BJP, seeking its seventh term in office in Gujarat, has denied tickets to 42 sitting MLAs.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday exuded confidence that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will again come to power both in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. "It is going to be a one-way election in Gujarat and it is BJP everywhere in the state. Gujarat is going to create history in terms of votes and seats," Thakur told ANI.
"Our party has done a really good job in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat and all the schemes and projects have been implemented with honesty. Winning these elections will definitely boost the morale of the party and help us in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," he added.
Thakur was in Gandhinagar before his public meetings in Nadiad and Ahmedabad's Vejalpur and Naranpura during the BJP's carpet bombing 2.0 campaign in the state.
Attacking Congress, Thakur said that they had made various claims in the past of winning in Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa and Uttar Pradesh but they could not win the states. "So all their claims are baseless," he said.
Thakur took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi who is on Bharat Jodo Yatra and said the Congress leader has been "sent on the yatra so that he keeps away from the elections".
"For any leader, it is very important to work for the elections, to work for the party's win. And this is the first time that we are seeing that two states are going into elections and their leader is on the yatra," Thakur added. He said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will lose the deposit on all seats they are contesting in Himachal Pradesh.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal today said that BJP asks to form a double engine government, leave double engine, there is a new engine in market. He made the remarks while addressing a rally in Gujarat's Khambhalia.
Former Congress MLA Kaminiba Rathod on Tuesday joined BJP in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Speaking about her decision, she said, "When tickets were distributed on basis of transaction of money, then I decided that I am going to leave the party and join BJP."
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate on Tuesday slammed NCPCR chief Priyak Kanoongo saying that he is sleeping while BJP and PM Modi are using a minor girl for their election campaign.
AAP leader Raghav Chadha on Tuesday mocked the double engine government in Gujarat and said that this government has increased prices of everything. He listed out prices of petrol, diesel, LPG among others and compared it with what they cost in 2014.
BJP chief JP Nadda on Tuesday said that former PM Jawaharlal Nehru opened one AIIMS while Atal Bihari Vajpayee opened six AIIMS in a short tenure.
"PM Modi opened 15 AIIMS, including one on the land of Rajkot in Gujarat," Nadda said while addressing a rally in Gujart's Shehra.
AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will address a public rally in Surat, Gujarat tonight at 7.
CM Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government has ordered one day paid leave for the workers of Gujarat working in the border areas of Maharashtra so that they can cast their votes in the upcoming elections
BJP chief JP Nadda will address back to back four rallies in the state today.
Union Minister Amit Shah also has a busy schedule in Gujarat as he will be addressing four public rallies starting from 11:30am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said no one had imagined Gujarat could become the top state as it faced droughts and other issues but the people ensured the turnaround by electing BJP and rejecting false propaganda and lucrative promises.
"In the past, people used to say Gujarat can't progress because it lacked natural resources, it has a long coastline. That it has the desert on one side and Pakistan on the other side. (They used to say) Gujarat faces droughts frequently. In addition, Gujarat used to suffer due to frequent communal riots and curfews," said Modi, who had served as the chief minister of the state before assuming the Prime Minister's office in 2014. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a swipe at Congress saying its leaders remained oblivious to tribals for a very long time even though tribals have been living in the country since the days of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.
"For a very long time, Congress leaders remained unaware of the existence of tribals in India. Weren't they living here since the days of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna?.. Weren't they part of the 1857 mutiny? Tribals did so many things for this country. But, Congress leaders never knew that Adivasis exist." "Otherwise, why was there no separate ministry for tribals until Atal Bihari Vajpayee became prime minister? It was Ataljee's government at the Centre which carved out a separate ministry and allocated a budget for their welfare. Even today, Congress leaders make fun of me for wearing tribal attire," Modi said while addressing a poll rally in Bharuch. (PTI)
"The BJP calls adivasis, vanvasis. Adivasi means the first resident. This is your country. But right now, your lands are being handed over to industrialists," Rahul Gandhi tells the tribal community in Surat.
Rahul Gandhi is addressing a public rally in Surat, Gujarat.
This anti-incumbency wave in Gujarat is unprecedented. BJP had to revamp its entire Cabinet. This is the people's chance to bring about a change. The BJP is scared: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.
PM Modi at a rally in Bharuch said: "In two decades, the number of industries in Bharuch district has grown by leaps and bounds."
Rahul Gandhi has arrived in Surat for his first election rally in Gujarat.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah was welcomed by cricketer Ravindra Jadeja and his wife and BJP candidate from Jamnagar North Rivaba Jadeja at Jamnagar airport.
Amit Shah will address four public meetings in Dwarka, Somnath, Junagadh, and Kutchh districts on Monday.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will campaign for the Gujarat elections on November 26-27.
PM Modi takes dig at Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, says those who have been thrown out of power are taking out yatra to get back to power, news agency PTI reported.
PM Modi addresses a public meeting in Gujarat's Surendranagar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address three public rallies in Gujarat on Monday, the third day of his visit to the state where the Assembly polls are scheduled next month.
The PM is addressing a series of 'Vijay Sankalp Sammelans' for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which he started on Saturday with a roadshow in Valsad.
On Monday, he will address rallies organised as part of the BJP's campaigning at Dhrangadhra in Surendranagar district, Jambusar in Bharuch district and Navsari city, as per the schedule shared by the party.
The PM on Sunday addressed four rallies in the state - in Veraval, Dhoraji, Amreli and Botad.
He had later also met party workers and tweeted about it saying, "After a long day of campaigning, being among fellow Karyakartas at Kamalam is very energising!" Elections for the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5 and votes will be counted on December 8. (PTI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday addressed addressed rallies in Gujarat's Nijhar and Dediyapada. BJP claimed that it will form the government with massive majority.
PM Modi met party workers in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on Sunday and said that being among the fellow workers is very energising after a long day of campaigning.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that BJP is losing in Gujarat and that AAP will form the government in the state.
The Aam Aadmi Party has launched AAP Gujarat's official 'Badlaav Song' for the Gujarat Assembly Elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the issue in election is development and it is the BJP which has talked about development. He said that because of BJP's initiative, all other parties are now forced to talk about development in elections.
PM was addressing a rally in Gujarat's Botad.
BJP leader Hardik Patel has told PTI that both BJP and Congress are fighting for same space and it appears that Congress will be distant second in the poll outcomes.
He said that now that EWS quota resolved many issues of Patels, the community will ensure BJP's massive victory in the polls.
After addressing two public rallies in Gujarat's Veraval and Dhoraji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended his third poll campaign of the day in Amreli ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls. He visited Somnath Temple earlier in the day.
You walked with those who opposed Narmada dam: PM Modi on Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Medha Patkar joining Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra, PTI reported.
After his public rally in Gujarat's Veraval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at Dhoraji to address another campaign rally.
Bharatiya Janata Party has suspended seven of its members who filed nominations as Independents after not getting tickets ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections, reported news agency ANI.
After his visit to Somnath Temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing a public rally in Veraval ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections 2022.
Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi reached Somnath Temple this morning after which he will address 4 rallies in Veraval, Amreli, Dhoraji, and Botad ahead of the Guajrat Polls 2022.
Ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Somnath temple today after which he will host a marathon of towns including Veraval, Dhoraji, Amreli, and Botad, reported news agency ANI.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi will campaign in Gujarat on November 21, speaking at rallies in Rajkot and Surat, news agency PTI reported.
The Congress released its final list of 37 candidates for the Gujarat Assembly elections on Wednesday, including former chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela's son Mahendrasinh Vaghela from the Bayad constituency.
With the release of the seventh list, the grand old party has announced 179 candidates for the 182-member Gujarat Assembly elections.
A full-fledged centralised social media war room has been set up by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Ahmedabad ahead of the the state elections.
Mahendra Patni, a daily wager contesting as independent, pays Rs 10,000 deposit to EC in Re 1 coins. His slum colony in Gujarat capital Gandhinagar was razed in 2019 to make way for a hotel, news agency PTI reported.
Narendra Modi and I worked there for 2 months in 1979 at that time (the 1979 Machchhu dam failure). Around 4000 people died & their bodies were retrieved by our workers: Kantilal Amrutia, BJP candidate from Morbi who also saved people during the Morbi tragedy.
AAP and Congress will be there in the second and third positions. BJP is where it should be. We don't have a contest. AAP and Congress have a contest for the second and third positions: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma in Surat.
With Gujarat assembly elections round the corner, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now at the peak of its campaign and is banking on its most popular face to lead the charge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold close to 25 rallies, crisscrossing the state in the next fortnight or so. It will be an action-packed three-day schedule for PM Modi in his home state starting Saturday evening.
On November 19 evening, after landing in Gujarat, the Prime Minister will be addressing a rally in Valsad. On the next day, PM Modi will visit Somnath Temple and then address four rallies in the Saurashtra region. Veraval, Dhorarji, Amreli, and Botad have been finalised as the venues for the four rallies. In the last assembly elections, BJP could not win a single seat in these constituencies in Saurashtra. The party won the state polls but could not breach this Congress bastion.
On Day 3, PM Modi will hold three rallies in Surendranagar, Bharuch, and Navsari. While Bharuch was the constituency of the former Congress strongman Ahmed Patel, the BJP state president CR Paatil who hails from Navsari, has been winning his Lok Sabha seat with one of the top margins across the country.
Addressing a rally in Surat, Gujarat on Friday, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, "We have a Prime Minister who still calls Gujarat his soul. He has not taken single leave for your development."
Reacting to a photograph of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi with Medha Patkar, BJP state president CR Patil said that the Congress is on 'Bharat Todo Yatra' with Gujarat's anti-development urban naxalites.
The President of Gujarat BJP, CR Patil, said that lotus will bloom in Jalapore while addressing a public gathering here on Friday.
Joint Chief Electoral Officer Ajay Bhatt has informed that current Gujarat elections obeserver Abhishek Singh has been removed and he will be replaced by Krishan Bajpai.
Singh was appointed as Observer for two consituencies in Ahmedabad, reported ANI.
PM Modi's Gujarat development model is recognised all over the world. During COVID, PM Modi countered the situation in different ways in different phases... during 1st lockdown under 'Jaan hai to Jahan hai' campaign PM Modi inspired people to stay safe at home: UP CM Yogi at Morbi.
Elections are in Gujarat but Rahul Gandhi is wandering around in the South, when elections were in Himachal Pradesh he was in Kerala... he doesn't want to come out of the dressing room as he does not want to play, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma at Anjar District in Kutch.
If Gujarat is riot-free today then it's because of BJP and PM Modi. The more Gujarat progresses, the more India will progress. If Gujarat wins, then India will progress: Union Minister Anurag Thakur addresses a public meeting in Mangrol.
Parties are extensively using social media to connect with voters and run election campaigns. Teams of thousands of workers and volunteers are keeping social media pages of different political parties abuzz like a well-oiled machine to run campaigns and garner support of target voters for the next month's Assembly elections in Gujarat.
If the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) relies on its established network of followers on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram, the opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are using popular messaging platform WhatsApp extensively to reach out to voters at the grassroots level.
BJP's social media campaigns are focused on highlighting the achievements of the party-led government in Gujarat during the last two decades. Prime Minister Narendra Modi served as Gujarat CM from 2001 to 2014. The saffron outfit is also tapping on the emotive issue of Gujarati pride through the newly-launched campaign "Aa Gujarat Me Banavyu Chhe (I have created this Gujarat)." The Congress, on the other hand, is harking back to the era when it ruled the state, the contributions its governments made for development of the state and how the BJP has done nothing in its 27 years of rule, a party office-bearer told PTI.
The AAP has created a narrative around the party's numerous "guarantees" announced by its national convener Arvind Kejriwal during his poll campaigns in the state and is relying extensively on WhatsApp to connect with voters, a party functionary said.
I will work to shoulder the responsibility given to me by BJP. My effort will be to win from Viramgam by taking everyone together. I'm confident that the people of Viramgam will make the BJP candidate win: BJP candidate from Viramgam constituency, Hardik Patel.
Ahead of Gujarat assembly polls, Congress has expressed confidence in winning the elections stating that the people of Gujarat want a change this time after a 27-year-long rule by the BJP. Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi told ANI that he is quite excited to wait for the results and for the final votes to be counted because this time the people of Gujarat are going to "vote for a change".
"I am quite confident that, the people of Gujarat are going to vote for a change this time. I am seeing the size of rallies that are taking place in Gujarat in the Congress sabhas, and meetings. I am quite excited to wait for the results and wait for the final votes to be counted. Because this time the people of Gujarat are going to vote for a change," Gaurav Gogoi said.
The Congress MP further said there will be a two-party contest in Gujarat between BJP and Congress, and people want a change this time. "For the last so many years the people have only seen a BJP government in Gujurat and still, there are issues in healthcare and education. So, therefore there is temporarily going to be a Congress wave in Gujarat," Gaurav Gogoi said. Hitting out at the BJP government over the Morbi bridge collapse incident, the Congress MP said that, in Gujarat, we have all seen how the main culprits behind the Morbi bridge collapse are being protected.
"Why the government is keeping silent on the owner and the proprietor of the private company, on the officials in the civic body who had a nexus with this private company? Even now, no significant arrest or steps have been made in the Morbi bridge collapse where more than 100 people and close to 47 children have lost their lives. It is because of the corrupt BJP government which is protected and patronized by Prime Minister Modi. People will vote out the BJP in the upcoming Gujarat elections," Gaurav Gogoi said.
Assembly elections in Gujarat will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5 and counting of votes will take place, along with that of Himachal Pradesh, on December 8. Polling in Gujarat will be held for a total of 182 Assembly constituencies.
In the power in the state, considered a saffron stronghold, for over two decades, the BJP hopes to return to power by a handsome margin.
However, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has jumped into the fray in a bid to extend its national footprint after its spectacular Assembly poll win in Punjab.
Party convenor Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann have been headlining rallies and roadshows for the in the poll-bound state.
State BJP president CR Paatil on Thursday said as, in every other election, the party will conduct a door-to-door campaign and try to reach out to the people ahead of the assembly elections in Gujarat.
While addressing a press conference, Paatil said "All the state ministers, BJP leaders, MPs, MLAs, party workers and Chief Minister will visit 82 out of the 89 Assembly seats that will go to polls in the first phase. We will carry out a door-to-door campaign and spread the message of development done by the government in the last five years. BJP has done such campaigns in every Gujarat election."
On being asked about the viral video of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker involved in fighting, Paatil said that BJP doesn't contest elections on such issues. "We fight the elections on the strength and communication of our party workers, the way our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won people's hearts, and the planning that is done by our Home Minister Amit Shah is enough for us to fight elections," he said.
On being asked about the allegation of shielding the company which built the Morbi bridge, Paatil denied such claims.
"The case is being investigated, and whatever comes out, we will take strict action against those involved. The people of Morbi know that BJP workers were the first to reach the spot. Our prime minister sent the military from Jamnagar to carry out the rescue operation. No other party came to the people's rescue," he said.
Ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls, Union minister Parshottam Rupala on Thursday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with the help of the Patidar community in Gujarat would win the election. While talking to ANI, Rupala said, "The Patidar community has a special influence in the Gujarat elections. In 2017, the Patidar community decided the direction of the Gujarat elections."
On being asked about the importance of the role of the Patidar community in the 2022 election, he said, "The social disturbance that occurred in 2017 in the form of the Patidar movement has become entirely calm, it has completely ended, and it has become history, now in front of our government in front of Bharatiya Janata Party, the challenge is not in the field of the election, Bharatiya Janata Party is getting welcomed in every corner."
While talking about PM Modi conducting rallies in the Saurashtra region, Rupala said, "not only because of Gujarat's election, but Saurashtra is an important part and our first phase of the election. The first phase is Saurashtra, so the round of rallies before the election will also start from Saurashtra, after that round is over, we will go to the second phase. It can also be said that Bholenath is the manifestation place of Somnath, it is also the place of our Dwarkadhish, so taking his blessings, we start the Sulane rally, that too is a coincidence."
One of the star campaigners for the BJP for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend poll rallies in the western state on Friday. As per his itinerary in the poll-bound state, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister will hold rallies in three Assembly constituencies.
Yogi is in demand in the pol-bound state. Previously, the UP CM held as many as 16 campaign rallies over 5 days in Himachal Pradesh, news agency ANI reported citing sources. "On Friday, Yogi Adityanath will hold rallies in Morbi, Bharuch, and Surat in Gujarat," stated a release by the BJP on Thursday.
The story that is woven around the development in Gujarat that all development has been done by Narendra Modi and 'Gujarat is Modi' is the biggest proof of a person's arrogance, says Congress MP Digvijaya Singh.
BJP candidate from Gandhinagar South, Alpesh Thakor files his nomination. CM Bhupendra Patel was also present with him.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will do carpet bombing with public meetings of central ministers and state leaders across 89 constituencies on November 18. Central ministers, state leaders, candidates for the Assembly elections and others campaigners will be holding public meetings across these constituencies to set the mood for the big Gujarat election. Several Union Ministers including Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Smriti Irani among others will be holding "sabhas" or public meetings across these constituencies.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and State party president CR Patil will also be addressing a Sabha. "Our party has big leaders not just at the national level alone but also at the state level and that is how the party goes into the election. We will go full throttle," a source privy to the development told ANI. This massive show of strength will include rallies with a crowd of 3000 to 5000 up to 20,000 at varous locations.
BJP leader Alpesh Thakor, who the party has fielded from Gandhinagar South in the Gujarat Assembly polls, has exuded confidence in the party winning over 150 seats in the elections. Thakor, one of the faces of the anti-BJP movement in Gujarat during the 2017 elections, joined the BJP in 2019. He had won on a Congress ticket in the 2017 Assembly elections but lost his Radhanpur seat in a bypoll in 2019. Today, Alpesh Thakor will file nomination papers as BJP's candidate from Gandhinagar South. His name was announced in the fourth list of candidates released by the party on November 14.
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Thakor said, "Gujarat elections are not a challenge for us. Lotus has won here in the past and lotus will win in the future. BJP will win more than 150 seats and form government here. We will win in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad also."
"Those who say that Congress is working silently should know that they are misleading that they are working silently. Congress has no foundation, its leaders are fighting among themselves and they have lost ground. This is why Aam Aadmi Party is being discussed. Congress is not working, they are dismantled. They do not have a mass base," he added. Exuding confidence in his own win in the upcoming elections, the BJP leader said that he does not have any political challenges here.
Ahead of the Gujarat polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold rallies in Gujarat's Saurashtra for three consecutive days from November 20-22, said sources. More than 1.5 lakh people will participate in these rallies, added the source. The Prime Minister will conduct three rallies in Saurashtra on November 20, two in South Gujarat and Saurashtra on November 21 and two in Saurashtra on November 22.
An important source of the BJP said that a detailed program of the PM's rallies and road shows is being prepared. Since the PM was out of the country for the G20 summit, the party waited for his return to seek approval and finalize the rally venues. Out of the 182 assembly seats in the state, 48 are in this region, where polling is to be held in the first phase itself on December 1.
It would be an uphill task for Congress leader Paresh Dhanani to win from the Amreli Assembly constituency for the fourth time in the next month's Gujarat elections, especially when the Patidar quota agitation has faded out. The former Leader of Opposition in the Assembly is also facing challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which is expected to eat into the Congress's traditional vote banks.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded its district unit chief Kaushik Vekariya from the seat, while the AAP has given ticket to Ravi Dhanani. All three -- Dhanani and his two rivals -- belong to the Patidar community. Patidar voters account for more than half the voters in the constituency.
AAP workers started demanding money, says Kanchan Jariwala after withdrawing nomination from Surat East assembly seat, reported ANI
Congress on Wednesday released its final list of 37 candidates for the Gujarat Assembly Election.
Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has complained to Election Commission of India against the misuse of the police and election machinery to forcefully withdraw the nomination papers of AAP's canddiate from Surat East, Kanchan Jariwala.
Delhi CM Arvind Kerjirwal has tweeted a video of opinion poll of November 15 that shows AAP's CM candiate Isudan Gadhvi as popular CM face for 29% of those surveyed while that of BJP CM candidate Bhupendra Patel is 32%. Kejriwal said, "This is the reason why BJP is so scared of AAP in Gujarat."
The Bhartiya Janta Party on Wednesday released its fifth list of three candidates for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly Polls.
The Bhartiya Janta Party on Wednesday released its fifth list of three candidates for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly Polls.
The AAP has alleged that the BJP is indulging in hooliganism ahead of the Gujarat polls after its missing candidate withdrew his nomination after returning.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel files his nomination from the Ghatlodia seat in Ahemdabad for the upcoming Gujarat election in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Accusing BJP of kidnapping AAP’s Surat East Candidate, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said that nominations are being forcefully withdrawn by means of goons and police. He said that this kind of hooliganism was never seen in India.
The Aam Aadmi Party has claimed that its candidate from Surat East, Kanchan Jariwala, has gone missing and it has blamed the BJP for the same.
BJP in this Assembly election, will break all records, win with the most seats, and form the government with a majority, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said. The leadership of PM Modi and Chief Minister Patel is giving pace to development work. Gujarat's law & order situation has improved, state's economy has grown. PM Modi's development model for Dalits, tribals and the OBC community of Gujarat is being followed by CM Patel, he added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah accompanies Sanand constituency candidate Kanu Patel for filing his nomination for the upcoming Gujarat elections.
The voting for the Gujarat Assembly elections will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5 while the counting of votes will be done on December 8.
Hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party workers gathered at the party's headquarters in Gandhinagar on Monday to protest against the selection of candidates for Patan and Bayad Assembly segments in Gujarat, which will go to polls on December 1 and 5. While former BJP MLA Bhikhiben Parmar has been given a ticket from Bayad, the candidate for Patan is yet to be announced, though speculation is rife the party will choose Banaskantha native Dr Rajul Desai, a former member of National Commission for Women as well as Gujarat State Child Rights Commission. Protesting BJP workers said Desai is an "outsider" to Patan residents, adding the ticket should be given to those who belong to the area, such as former MLA Ranchhod Desai or leader KC Patel.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its third list of candidates on Monday. Alpesh Thakor, formerly associated with the Congress party, has been fielded from Gandhinagar South. Alpesh contested his last election from Radhanpur. Thakor, one of the faces of anti-BJP stir in the state during the 2017 polls, joined the BJP in 2019. He had won on the Congress ticket in 2017 but lost his Radhanpur seat in the subsequent bypoll in 2019. With the third list, the BJP has now named candidates for 178 seats for the polls to the 182-member state assembly polls.
Bhupendra Patel will remain the chief minister of Gujarat if BJP secures a majority in the next month's Assembly elections, senior party leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday. "If BJP gets a majority in Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel will be the next chief minister," Shah said. Patel replaced Vijay Rupani as the chief minister in September 2021. He is the first-time MLA from the Ghatlodia constituency. He is renominated from the same seat.
Nationalist Congress Party's lone MLA in Gujarat, Kandhlal Jadeja resigned from the party on Monday after he was denied a ticket in the upcoming Gujarat elections, reported news agency PTI. Jadeja had filed his nomination on November 11 despite not having a mandate from the party.
He won from Kutiyana seat in Porbandar district in 2012 and 2017 on the NCP's ticket, but this time the seat has been kept out of the Congress-NCP alliance.
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Jamnagar North, Rivaba Jadeja and her cricketer-husband Ravindra Jadeja attended an event in Gujarat's Jamnagar ahead of filing nomination for the Gujarat elections 2022.
"It's her (Rivaba Jadeja) first time as an MLA candidate & she'll learn a lot. I hope she will progress in this. She is of helping nature and has always wanted to help people and hence joined politics. She wants to follow the path of PM Modi to work for the people," Jadeja said, quoted by news agency ANI.
The Congress party on Monday deputed observers at various levels, from zonal to Lok Sabha and other, with immediate effect ahead of Gujarat Assembly elections.
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Gujarat's Wadhwan constituency, Jignya Pandya withdrew her nomination, said a party leader on Sunday, reported news agency IANS. Pandya has been repalced with Jignesh Makwana from Dalwadi (Sathwara) community. A section from the BJP had even complained against Jignya Pandya saying that "she was not even seen in the party programmes".
Bharatiya Janata Party President JP Nadda on Sunday held meeting with party's General Secretaries at party headquarters in New Delhi ahead of Gujarat Assembly elections and MCD elections, reported news agency IANS. Nadda reviewed the ongoing preparations and assigned responsibilities for party workers and leaders.
Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Gujarat government, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said that there is a huge anti-incumbency in the state and that the people of Gujarat "will teach them a lesson," reported news agency PTI. Inflation, rising unemployment and poor infrastructure are a cause of concern in Gujarat and the people there will vote on these issues, he told reporters on the sidelines of Rajasthan Digifest 2022 in Jodhpur.
"In the upcoming elections, people will teach them a lesson. There is a huge anti-incumbency wave going on in the state which will be seen in the results of this election," he said.
The Congress on Sunday released its 5th and 6th list of 39 candidates which included Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani being fielded from Vadgam constituency, reported news agency PTI. Mevani had won the Vadgam seat as Independent candidate in 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections.
Background
Elections 2022 LIVE UPDATES: Hello and welcome to ABP Live blog to find all the latest news from the polling battlegrounds of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh polls.
Gujarat Assembly Elections 2022:
The legislative assembly election is scheduled to be held in Gujarat on December 1 and 5 in two phases, to elect 182 members of the 15th Gujarat Legislative Assembly. The votes will be counted and the results will be declared on December 8.
The Congress on Sunday released two lists of 39 candidates for the Gujarat Assembly elections, fielding Jignesh Mevani from the Vadgam constituency.
The party first released its fifth list with six candidates including Manhar Patel from Botad in place of Ramesh Mer. Later in the evening, it released a list of 33 candidates, taking the total number of candidates declared so far to 142.
The candidates named in the fifth list were Jayanti Jerajbhai Patel from Morbi, Jivan Kumbharvadiya from Jamnagar Rural, Chhattarsinh Gunjariya from Dhrangadhra, Mansukhbhai Kalariya from Rajkot West and Divyesh Chavda from Gariadhar.
In the sixth list of 33 candidates, the candidates fielded by the Congress included Mevani from Vadgam (SC) seat, Thakor Mohansinh from Mansa, Baldevji Thakor from Kalol, Imran Khedawala from Jamalpur-Khadia, Amit Chavda from Anklav and Bal Kishen Patel from Dabhoi.
The Congress had on November 4 released its first list, announcing the names of 43 candidates for the elections.
On November 10, the party came out with another list of 46 names. It released a list of seven candidates on Friday but one was a replacement for an earlier-announced candidate. The fourth list of nine candidates was released on Saturday.
The Congress is seeking to oust the BJP from power in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi where the saffron party has been in power for more than two decades.
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