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Gujarat: BJP increases lead in India state election Gujarat: BJP increases lead in India state election
(35 minutes later)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a lead as votes are counted in crucial elections in India's Gujarat state.Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a lead as votes are counted in crucial elections in India's Gujarat state.
The BJP is leading in 99 of the 175 seats for which leads are available, according to election authorities. The party is leading in 98 of the 177 seats for which leads are available, according to election authorities.
The main rival Congress party is leading in 71 seats. In 2012, the BJP won 116 seats in the 182-seat assembly. The main rival Congress party is ahead in 73 seats. In 2012, the BJP won 116 seats in the 182-seat assembly.
Gujarat is a stronghold state for Mr Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has governed there for 22 years. Gujarat is a stronghold state for the BJP, which has governed there for 22 years.
Mr Modi was thrice chief minister of Gujarat and won the national vote because of his work there. To lose state polls will be a loss of face. Stock markets which opened lower on Monday after early leads put the Congress ahead, have recovered.
Mr Modi was thrice chief minister of Gujarat and won the national vote because of his work there. To lose the state polls would have been a loss of face.
He held more than three dozen meetings in the state and campaigned on economic development and Hindu nationalism to woo voters.He held more than three dozen meetings in the state and campaigned on economic development and Hindu nationalism to woo voters.
The Congress is expected to put up a spirited fight and improve upon its performance in 2012, when it won 61 seats. So far it appears that the Congress has put up a spirited fight and looks to improve upon its 2012 performance, when it won 61 seats.
The BJP is also forging ahead in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, where it is leading in 35 of the 59 seats for which leads are available. The Congress is leading in 21 seats. The prime minister's decision to ban high value currency notes in November 2016 and the way the newly introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) was implemented is believed to have fuelled anger against the party in Gujarat.
He sparked controversy by alleging that the Congress party was helping Pakistan to influence the state polls. State BJP member R Bala told the Reuters news agency that the election was the "toughest" they had fought there.
The BJP is also forging ahead in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, where it is leading in 39 of the 65 seats for which leads are available. The Congress is ahead in 23 seats.
Polling in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh was held between 9 and 14 December.Polling in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh was held between 9 and 14 December.
More than 68% of Gujarat's 43 million eligible voters cast their ballots, while Himachal Pradesh saw a voter turnout of about 74%.More than 68% of Gujarat's 43 million eligible voters cast their ballots, while Himachal Pradesh saw a voter turnout of about 74%.