After a record turnout of over 70% in the first phase of the polls, around 70% voter turnout recorded in the second and final phase of Gujrat assembly elections.
Chief Minister Narendra Modi says he is confident the BJP will come back to power. He tweeted “Cast my vote in Ahmedabad. Looking at overwhelming support of people of Guj, am confident we are heading for a hat-trick.”
Support Independent Journalism? Keep us live.
However, in an untoward incident, police detained BJP candidate Jetha Bharwad after his security guards opened fire in the Tarsang village of Panchmahal district on which three persons got injured. Bharwad also sustained injuries in the head due to stone pelting by a mob.
The votes cast in Gujarat ,along with those of Himachal Pradesh ,will be counted on December 20.
If the BJP wins, Modi – whose image towers over that of his party and who has been Chief Minister since 2001 – could start playing a larger national role both in the BJP and pan-India politics. A defeat for the BJP could, however, puncture Modi’s larger political ambitions and prove a great morale booster for the Congress ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha election.