New Delhi:
The voting for crucial Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat began on Tuesday. The ruling BJP has fielded party chief Amit Shah, Union minister Smriti Irani, and Balwantsinh Rajput while Congress’s Ahmed Patel is contesting to retain his seat in the Upper house as the state has three RS seats.
Here are the live updates –
2:05 PM
Numbers are in our favour, result should be good, I am confident and optimistic: Ahmed Patel
#2:02 PM
Voting ends at Assembly
#1:03 PM
Congress MLA Dharshi Khanpura cast his vote himself after EC officer denied his proxy voting request
#12:35 PM
61 BJP MLAs and 43 Congress MLAs have cast their votes so far
#12:31 PM
Victory of our candidates certain. Party had been working for this since announcement of election dates: Anandiben Patel, former Gujarat CM
#12:25 PM
We have got 43 votes so far, 1 MLA is going to vote. Chhotubhai Vasava (JDU) publicly said he voted for Ahmed bhai: Arjun Modhwadia, Cong
#12:05 PM
Sanand Congress MLA voted for BJP: Sources
#10:29 AM
Jadeja (Kandhal Jadeja) ji is first time MLA, he is innocent. Our vote is for UPA: Jayant Patel, NCP
#10:25AM
Voted according to whip issued by high command, after all we are the partner of UPA: Jayant Patel, NCP
#10:21 AM
I have cast my vote. In a democracy the voting is secret: Mahendra Sinh Vaghela, Congress
#10:17 AM
Both NCP MLAs voting for BJP candidate, it is clear: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani
#10:14 AM
We have voted according to the whip issued, confident of victory of all our candidates: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani
#10:12 AM
Congress MLAs arrive at state assembly in Gandhinagar from Neejanand resort in Anand
#10:05 AM
Out of the 4 candidates, Ahmed Patel is going to get the maximum number of votes. His victory is certain: Shailesh Parmar
# 9:59 AM
2 MLAs voted for BJP despite being Congress MLAs. Shakti Singh Gohil has taken objection against this: Arjun Modhwadia,INC
#9:49 AM
Congress hadn't been listening to us for a year. We have voted for Balwantsinh Rajput: Dharmendra Jadeja, Congress
#9:47 AM
Voted for Balwantsinh Rajput. I want to stay in politics but not in Congress: Raghavji Patel
#9:40 AM
Had cleared things yesterday itself. You will know everything in the evening: NCP MLA Kandhal Jadeja
# 9:39 AM
I did not want to waste my vote as Congress will lose the election. I have not voted to Ahmed Patel: Shankersinh Vaghela
#9:25 AM
NCP MLAs reach to cast their vote
#9:05 AM
Shankersinh Vaghela arrived for voting at Gujarat assembly
#9:01 AM
Voting begins at the Gujarat assembly
#8:50 AM
BJP candidates Smriti Irani & Amit Shah arrive at State Legislative Assembly; CM Vijay Rupani also reaches
Gujarat: BJP Candidates Smriti Irani & Amit Shah arrive at State Legislative Assembly; CM Vijay Rupani also reaches #RajyaSabhaPolls pic.twitter.com/RbTffTi3xk
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2017
# 8:40 AM
Preparations for Rajya Sabha polls underway in State Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar
Gujarat: Preparations for Rajya Sabha polls underway in State Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar pic.twitter.com/zYyJhIlOqS
— ANI (@ANI_news) August 8, 2017
#7:45 AM
Congress MLAs leave from Neejanand Resort in Anand, ahead of Rajya Sabha election voting.
Patel, who is also a political advisor to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, was confident of his victory. On Monday, he had met all 44 MLAs who were staying Neejanand Resort in Anand. Balwantsinh Rajput
Of late, six Congress MLAs resigned from the party that had put an uphill task for the Congress to garner enough support in the Assembly.
Congress is banking on NCP as his two MLAs told media that they will vote for BJP. But, the Congress party claimed that Sharad Pawar had already declared its support for the grand old party.
BJP was hoping that cross voting will take place in the polls and Rajput will also sail through.
Also Read | Gujarat RS Polls: Blow to Congress, NCP decides to support BJP
On the other hand, the administration arranged enough security for the Congress MLAs. BD Jadeja, Deputy SP, told that adequate security was provided to the legislators.
