Gujarat witnesses 65% of voting in civic polls

GANDHINAGAR: Barring a few minor incidents, the second of the two-phase elections for local bodies in Gujarat — including 31 district panchayats, 230 block panhayats and 56 municipalities — concluded peacefully on Sunday. According to available information till filing of this report, the state witnessed average 65% of voting in this election. The counting of votes will take place on December 2.

At few places like Gojaria village in Mehsana district, voters registered their protest against the political parties by boycotting the election. The elections are being considered as a litmus test for Chief Minister Anandiben Patel’s leadership as this is the first full-scale polls after the 13-year-old rule of Narendra Modi in the state. Currently, BJP lords over 191 out of 230 talukas, 47 out of 56 municipalities and a mind-boggling 30 out 31 district panchayats, but the on-going Patel agitation may cast its shadow over the elections particularly in Saurashtra and North Gujarat region.

While the Patel leaders have openly asked the community members to vote against the ruling BJP, the stir had considerably energized the moribund Congress in the state. With the convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) Hardik Patel still behind the bars and more than a lakh voters’ names deleted during the first phase of election, Patel community has been simmering in anger. According to the state election commission, for 56 municipalities, BJP has fieled 1,945 candidates, Congress 1,801 candidates and other parties 468 candidates, while 1,082 independents are in the fray.

For 31 district panchayats, BJP has fieled 987 candidates, Congress 985 candidates, other parties 212 candidate and independents 301. According to State Election Commissioner Varesh Sinha, a staggering 20,000 candidates were in the fray for as many as 317 local bodies.

(With inputs from PTI)