Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017: PM Narendra Modi urges for record turnout, Rahul Gandhi predicts wave for Congress

Political stalwarts from both BJP and Congress have had their say in countless rallies in the run-up to Gujarat Assembly elections 2017. Now, the voters get set to deliver judgement as voting in first of two phases kicks off.

PTI Photo

The battle for Gujarat has been hotting up India's political weather in recent weeks. After countless rallies and unprecedented levels of verbal attacks on each other, both BJP and Congress have come out of the dust predicting strong victories. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been the star campaigner for BJP and urged Gujaratis to come out in 'record numbers' to vote, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi too held numerous rallies and said no one can stop his party from being triumphant.

The state went into polling in the first of two phases on Saturday.

With 89 constituencies seeing polling action, both BJP and Congress are keeping fingers crossed. Pollsters have mostly predicted a closer race than was first thought. PM Modi though remained confident that people of the state will continue to repose their faith in him and his party. "Development over dynasty is what Gujarartis want and I am sure voters will help us emerge victorious in the upcoming elections. I urge all of you to come out in record numbers," he said at a poll rally on Friday.

He also took to Twitter on polling day to urge voters to exercise their mandate.

Phase 1 of Gujarat polls begin. Urging all those voting today to turnout in record numbers and vote. I particularly call upon youngsters to exercise their franchise. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2017

The BJP may have been in power in the state for the last 22 years but Congress remains as confident as it usually always is before any election. "Congress party is going to win elections in Gujarat and no one can stop it. There is a wave (Aandhi aa rahi hai)," Rahul had said while addressing a rally in Chotta Udaipur.

The two stalwarts of their respective parties have also traded barbs throughout campaigning. War of words has touched extreme lows with even some other party members getting involved. Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had called PM Modi 'neech' which had eventually led to his suspension. Before this, PM Modi himself had termed Rahul Gandhi's nomination for the post of Congress President as 'Aurangzeb Raj'.

The political discourse may have largely - and dramatically - degraded. However in this degradation, say many, lies the sign of just how much the Gujarat elections mean for both national parties.

Gujarat votes in the first phase on Saturday while the second phase voting will take place on Thursday (December 14).