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New Delhi, Dec 18: Counting of votes for Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017 and Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2017 is taking place today. Counting began across the two states at 8 am and the results of which MLAs have been elected are expected to be out by 4 pm. Exit polls have projected victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in both Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. However, the Congress has dismissed the exit polls saying they will be proven wrong. Stay with us for LIVE updates on results for both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh polls.
Voting for the 182 seats of Gujarat Assembly was held in two phases. The first phase took place on December 9 with voting across 19 districts while the second phase polling was held on December 14 across 14 districts. A voter turnout of over 68 per cent was recorded collectively in both phases. Gujarat saw a high voltage battle between the Congress and the BJP, with both parties going all out to campaign in the state.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi held multiple rallies across Gujarat during the past two months, Congress President Rahul Gandhi also made numerous rounds to the state. BJP President Amit Shah also campaigned in his home state tirelessly. The Congress targeted the ruling BJP over demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) and also garnered support from Patidar leader Hardik Patel.
However, exit polls say that none of these seem to have helped the Congress. Almost all exit polls have projected over 100 seats for the BJP, indicating a clear win for the party. An exit poll has in fact given the BJP 135 seats in Gujarat. Whether these exit polls prove correct will be clear today.
Voting for Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2017 was held on November 9. All 68 constituencies of the hill state went to polls together in one phase. Himachal Pradesh recorded a record voter turnout of 74.61 per cent, much higher than the 2012 election. Exit polls have predicted the high voter turnout going in favour of the BJP.
Like Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, too, saw a high pitch battle between the Congress and the BJP with multiple rallies by Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi. BJP chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh were among star campaigners here. While Congress’s Chief Ministerial candidate is sitting chief minister Virbhadra Singh, BJP brought back former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal as its CM face this election.
The exit polls say that the BJP is headed for a a clear victory in Himachal Pradesh, getting over 55 out of 68 seats. However, CM Virbhadra Singh, who has also been facing corruption allegations, has rejected the exit polls, saying the Congress will win.
Thank you for staying with us through the counting of votes for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections. Here is an insight on the results. For complete coverage and detailed results of Gujarat and Himachal Prades, Click here.
Final results of Gujarat and Hmachal Pradesh
In Gujarat, BJP won all the seats it contested in 1989 Lok Sabha polls. We won most of the seats we contested in 1990. In 1995, in 1998, in 2002, in 2007 and in 2012 we won. We won most seats in Lok Sabha polls too: PM Modi
Gujarat election results are historic. In this day and age, for a party to keep winning for so long: PM Narendra Modi
Recent elections results have proven that the country is ready for reform, is looking towards things that perform in a positive way and believes in transformation: PM Narendra Modi at BJP HQ in Delhi
During UP elections it was said BJP would lose due to GST effect in urban areas, same was said in Gujarat elections and local body polls in Maharashtra: PM Narendra Modi
Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have decided to take the Vikas route: PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at BJP HQ in Delhi, received by BJP President Amit Shah #ElectionResults2017 pic.twitter.com/MOEnKxVSNI
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017
My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congress’s greatest strength is its decency and courage: Rahul Gandhi
The Congress party accepts the verdict of the people and congratulates the new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all my heart for the love they showed me: Congress President Rahul Gandhi
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