Here's a look at the first phase of Gujarat elections 2017 through numbers

Gujarat goes to polls on Saturday, with more than 2 crore eligible voters expected to decide the fate of 977 candidates in fray for 89 seats in the first phase of the state assembly elections, widely seen as a barometer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and a litmus test for the leadership of soon-to-be Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.

Factors at play
Anti-incumbency
BJP has to tackle a natural element of ANTI-INCUMBENCY that builds up after a long stint.


Discourse on development
BJP’s 22-year track record. Does the development slogan still work?

CM face
BJP’s best face is PM, but not CM any longer; absence of CM face for Congress.

Caste alliances
Rise of a section of the Patidars led by Hardik Patel; support lent to Congress by Alpesh Thakor (OBC) and Jignesh Mewani (Dalit).

GST
A negative perception about demonetisation and GST against the ruling party.

Controversies
Political discourse and controversies over remarks made by leaders such as Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Key contests
Rajkot (West): VIJAY RUPANI vs Congress’ INDRANIL RAJYAGURU
Mandvi: Cong’s SHAKTISINH GOHIL vs BJP’s new face VIRENDRASINH JADEJA
Amreli: Patidar-dominated seat; Cong’s sitting MLA PARESH DHANANI vs BJP heavyweight BAVKUBHAI UNDHAD
Porbandar: Cong’s ARJUN MODHWADIA vs BJP’s BABU BOKHIRIA
Bhavnagar West: State BJP chief JITU VAGHANI
Jetpur: JAYESHBHAI RADADIYA
Jamnagar North: DHARAMENDRASINH JADEJA
Jamnagar South: Former BJP state chief RC FALDU
Dholka: Education minister BHUPENDRASINH CHUDASAMA
Mahuwa (ST): TUSHARBHAI CHAUDHARY
Limbdi: SOMABHAI G PATEL
Botad: Former energy minister SAURABHBHAI PATEL
Bharuch: Cong’s JAYESHBHAI AMBALAL PATEL vs BJP’s DUSHYANTBHAI RAJNEEKANT PATEL
Ankleshwar: BJP’s ISHWARSINH THAKORBHAI PATEL against Cong’s ANILKUMAR BHAGAT
Jhagadia: Bharatiya Tribal Party CHHOTUBHAI AMARSINH VASAVA (backed by Cong) vs BJP’s RAVJI VASAVA