Gujarat assembly polls in 2 phases, verdict on Dec 8

NEW DELHI: Roughly 4.9 million people across 182 constituencies will vote in two phases in assembly elections in Gujarat on December 1 and 5, the election commission announced on Thursday, kick-starting a poll contest where a traditionally bipolar polity may morph into a triangular contest with the entry of a new player.

The votes will be counted on December 8, the same day as Himachal Pradesh. The Bharatiya Janata Party will be looking for its seventh consecutive assembly poll victory in what is a prestige fight for the ruling party in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state. The Congress will hope to replicate its strong performance in 2017 and not slip into third position behind the new entrant, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is banking on its governance record and delivery of amenities in Delhi to spring a surprise.

“There are 100 days left for the assembly in Gujarat to conclude,” said chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar. “There are 4.9 crore electors across 182 constituencies.” Of these constituencies, 142 are general, 13 are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 27 for Scheduled Tribes, according to a press note released by ECI.

In the first phase, 89 constitu

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