NewDelhi/Ahmedabad: Polling for Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat ended after all 176 MLAs cast their vote on Tuesday. The results will be declared today evening.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel is facing the toughest electoral battle of his career following a rebellion by senior party leader Shankarsinh Vaghela.
The Congress has 51 MLAs in the House after six legislators resigned following a rebellion by senior party leader Shankarsinh Vaghela.
Out of the 51 MLAs, seven of Vaghela group (including Vaghela) had not gone to Bengaluru but the rest 44 had gone. Technically, these seven MLAs are still with the Congress, including Vaghela as he has not resigned as MLA.
Though the Congress has a clear support of 44 MLAs but some MLAs of his group like Raghavji Patel and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja have also come out and said that they have voted for the BJP.
Since BJP has 121 seats in the Assembly, BJP president Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani appeared set for an easy win.
Senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi confirms that lone party MLA Chhotu Vasava was asked by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to vote for BJP and he has done the same.
Counting delayed as Congress seeks cancellation of two votes cast by rebels Raghavji Patel and Bhola Gohel. They allegedly displayed their ballot paper to the BJP’s polling agent.
Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil says two Congress MLAs Bholabhai and Raghavji Bhai voted for BJP and publicly showed their votes.
Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala and RPN Singh approach Election Commission to demand cancellation of votes of the two party MLAs.
The lone JD(U) MLA in Gujarat, Chhotu Vasava, says he voted for Congress’ nominee Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha polls.
The Congress says party legislators who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat will be suspended with immediate effect.
Ahmed Patel expresses confidence in winning the Rajya Sabha election.
“Numbers are in our favour, result should be good, I am confident and optimistic,” Patel says.
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot exudes confidence in Ahmed Patel winning the Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat.
Polling for Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat over as all 176 MLAs cast their vote, says state Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain.
Rebel Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela confirms that he didn’t vote for the official party nominee Ahmed Patel in the crucial Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls.
After casting their votes in the ongoing Rajya Sabha election, Gujarat Congress MLAs gather at Uma Bhawan to have lunch.
Congress MLA Dharshi Khanpura cast his vote after an Election Commission officer denied his proxy voting request.
The EC official had told Khanpura that the request for proxy voting should have been given three days in advance.
61 BJP MLAs and 43 Congress MLAs have cast their votes so far.
In Gujarat Rajya Sabha Polls 2017, 61 BJP legislators and 43 Congress MLAs have cast their votes so far.
More reports of cross voting has emerged.
Two Congress leaders – Raghavji Patel and Dharmendra Jadeja – admitted voting for admitted that they have voted for BJP’s Balwantsinh Rajput.
“I have voted for Balwantsinh Rajput. I want to stay in politics but not in Congress. There are only two parties in Gujarat – Congress and BJP. If I’m not with Congress, this is understood where will I be,” Raghavji Patel told ANI.
The other Congress leader Jadeja said that he voted for BJP as Congress was not paying heed to them.
“Congress hadn’t been listening to us for a year. We have voted for Balwantsinh Rajput,” Jadeja said.
NCP member Jayant Patel has voted for Congress. “Voted according to whip issued by high command, after all we are the partner of UPA,” he says.
The 44 Congress MLAs have now reached the state assembly in Gandhinagar from Neejanand resort in Anand.
“Out of the 4 candidates, Ahmed Patel is going to get the maximum number of votes. His victory is certain,” claims Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar
“There are only 2 parties in Gujarat – Congress and BJP. If I’m not with Congress, you know where will I be,” says Congress leader Raghavji Patel to ANI
It seems two Congress legislators have voted for BJP, admitted party member Arjun Modhwadia.
Despite his yesterday’s cryptic message, former Congress stalwart confirmed that he has not voted for Ahmed Patel.
Voting begins at the Gujarat assembly for Rajya Sabha elections, reports news agency ANI.
BJP candidates Smriti Irani and Amit Shah arrive at State Legislative Assembly. State Chief Minister Vijay Rupani also reaches the venue
With minutes to go for the Rajya Sabha polls, final arrangements are being made inside the House.
Rajya Sabha polls begin at 9 am
Ahmed Patel reached Neejanand Resort in Anand where 44 Congress MLAs are staying.
In a major setback for Gujarat Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday announced that it will support the BJP in Rajya Sabha Polls 2017.
Congress candidate Ahmed Patel is however unfazed, claiming he has a support of “enough” number of MLAs to win the battle.
Bureau Report
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