Ahmedabad :(Page3 News Network)-In Gujarat, campaigning for the first phase of assembly elections comes to an end this evening. A total of 87 constituencies spread over 15 districts from Saurashtra and south regions and Ahmedabad district of the state will go to polls in this phase on Thursday. Political fate of 846 candidates including 46 women will be decided by about 1 crore 50 lakhs voters.Our correspondent reports that more than 99 percent voters have been provided with the Electors Photo Identity Cards EPIC. Polling parties are being rushed today to their polling stations. Security forces have already reached the areas.
Meanwhile, the election commission has banned conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicizing it by means of the print or electronic media or disseminating in any other manner. The Commission has said in its communiqué that this ban would be effective during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for conclusion of poll.
Our correspondent reports that in their last bid to woo voters for their party candidates several senior leaders from both Congress and BJP are to address election rallies today in poll bound constituencies.
Congress's star campaigner Rahul Gandhi today alleged the Modi government was overlooking concerns and issues of the common man. Addressing an election rally at Jamnagar in Saurashtra region he said Mahatma Gandhi taught us to listen toi the common man but unfortunately in Gandhiji's native place Gujarat, the common man has been neglected by the state government. He said even sittings of the state assembly take place only for 25 days in a year and opposition was not allowed to raise issues of the common man and weaker sections. He alleged that the opposition was suppressed in the state. Without naming BJP leaders and Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader alleged that there was no check on corruption in the state and more than 14 thousand RTI applications are pending with the government.He also raised issues of drinking water in urban areas and irrigation facilities to the farmer and said that it was unfortunate without solving the problems of the common man the Chief Minister was claiming the State has made progress. He also highlighted the welfare schemes and programmes initiated by the centre and alleged that these were not being implemented in Gujarat properly.
Mr. Gandhi will be addressing rallies at Amreli and Sanand also.
Senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani and the Chief Minister Narendra Modi are also scheduled to address election rallies at Ahmedabad, Saurashtra region and Sanand. In the last leg of campaigning for the first phase. Adding glamour,ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has roped in several Gujarati film and TV artists including Firoz Irani and Suchitra Trivedi for canvassing for party candidates. Famous Hindi film actor Paresh Rawal and TV artist and Party MP Smriti Irani are also campaigning for BJP candidates.
Earlier, Congress President Sonia Gandhi had said that only Congress can provide good living conditions to the common people and now time has come to bring change in Gujarat. Addressing a public rally at Dakor in Kheda district in Central Gujarat yesterday. Mrs. Gandhi said that BJP Government in the state has misused the money given by the Centre for the welfare of poor people.
On the other hand, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has launched a sharp attack on the Congress alleging that its vote bank politics has destroyed the country and the party had no agenda for the Assembly elections.
Mr.Modi accused the Congress of spreading lies and defaming Gujarat besides placing obstacles in the development of the state.
