Battleground Gujarat : All eyes on first phase polling on Saturday

Ahmedabad: Stage is set for the first phase of polling in 89 assembly segments in Gujarat on Saturday.A total of 977 candidates, including 57 women, are in fray from around 50 political parties as well as a large number of independents. Polling will take place across over 24,600 polling stations in Saurastra and South Gujarat.

A high-decibel campaign that saw both BJP and Congress slamming at each other ended on Thursday evening - wherein at the last moment, emotion ran high after Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to a controversial remarks from senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.Prime Minister Modi often played up 'Gujarati Asmita card' and dubbed Congress as anti-Gujarat while the Congress made blistering attack on him and BJP over its economic policy including GST and demonetisation.While Mr Modi addressed at least 15 election rallies and interacted with BJP women workers, leading the Congress charge Rahul Gandhi visited number of temples including the historic Somnath Temple.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, however, gave election campaign a miss this time. Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh visited Rajkot and Surat and described demonetisation as a disastrous decision for the country's economy.The voting will take place on December 9, Saturday, from 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs. 

The BJP has fielded candidates in all 89 seats, Congress 87 and there are 443 Independent candidates. Among other parties -- AAP has fielded 21, Shankersinh Vaghela-led Jan Vikalp Party has candidates in 48 segments while Mayawati-led BSP has nominated 64 candidates. Samajwadi Party has nominated 4, JD(U) 14, NCP 30 and 25 candidates from BJP-ally Shiv Sena will be also in the fray.The second phase of polling will take place on December 14.(UNI)