By IANS
Ahmedabad : Over 50,000 security personnel were on vigil in Gujarat Tuesday where the first phase of polling got off to a slow start with the wintry morning proving a dampener to early voting.
Polling is being conducted for 87 assembly constituencies in Saurashtra, Kutch and south Gujarat regions.
Of these, Saurashtra and Kutch account for 58 assembly constituencies while the remaining assembly seats are from south Gujarat. With a sizeable number of seats, Saurashtra and Kutch are expected to decide who will form the government in Gandhinagar after the results are declared on Dec 23.
Officials said polling in rural areas was comparatively more brisk than the urban areas.
People were expected to come out only around noon, when the day gets warmer.
The dissident factor in Saurashtra continues to be a talking point with five former BJP leaders contesting on a Congress ticket. Former BJP chief minister Keshubhai Patel, who is spearheading the dissidence movement, has again called for change in government in advertisements issued from the platform of the Sardar Patel Utkarsh Samiti.
However, Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala who is contesting from Rajkot said, “The appeal carries no weight. I am sure our tally will increase in the region.”
Dissident leaders and former central ministers Vallabhbhai Kathiriya and Kashiram Rana talked of a change in their strongholds Rajkot and Surat after casting their votes.
“We want a change so that the workers of the BJP get a proper deal. Their voice is heard. We want a strong BJP and a government,” said Rana in Surat.
Asked about some dissidents contesting from the Congress, he said, “Circumstances compelled them to do so.”
The regions have witnessed a high-pitched poll campaign from both sides with the BJP’s Chief Minister Narendra Modi – the party has ruled the state for 12 years – and Congress president Sonia Gandhi being the prime campaigners.
The campaign was marred with controversy over Gandhi’s reported remark, calling the Gujarat government led by Modi “merchants of death”. Modi’s reported justification of the alleged staged killing of terror suspect Sohrabuddin Sheikh kicked up a storm too. And both have been served notices by the Election Commission.
Modi has been campaigning on the development plank and the Congress has been rubbishing his claims as a fraud.
The fate of several political heavyweights is to be decided in the first phase of polling. These include ministers Vajubhai Vala, Saurabh Patel, Narottam Patel, I.K. Jadeja and leader of opposition Arjun Modhvadia.
The largest assembly constituency in terms of voters is Chorasi in Surat with 1.59 million voters; in terms of area it is Abdasa in Kutch. The smallest constituency is Manavadar in Rajkot with a mere 125,902 voters. Porbander is the constituency with maximum number of 15 candidates, including Modhvadia.
According to the Election Commission, 19,924 electronic voting machines are to be used in an equal number of poling stations for conducting the polls.
The second phase of polls for the remaining 95 assembly seats will be held Dec 16.