BJP leads in Several Areas

However, in rural areas adjoining these cities, the BJP has suffered as it lost district panchayats of Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Vadodara and Jamnagar, Mehsana and Junagadh.

Bhavnagar: The counting for the Gujarat civic elections is underway at numerous centres in the state.

The local bodies polls in Gujarat are being touted as a litmus test for the ruling BJP against the backdrop of Patel quota agitation.

The Congress maintains lead in Surat, it is in a close contest with BJP in Rajkot.

BJP candidates celebrate after winning four seats in Ward 17 in Vadodara Municipal Corporation.

– The elections are being seen as a challenge for the BJP and Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, as they come after the Patel quota stir.

Congress is ahead in Bhavnagar with leads on 20 seats while BJP is leading on 14 seats. The turnout was less than 45% for the municipal corporations, but more than 60% for the semi-urban and rural bodies. While BJP registered an complaint against Gujarat Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki for poll code of conduct, a Congress candidate’s relatives in Dahod district supposed that rival BJP candidate abducted him. While the BJP is doing well in all 56 municipalities, the Congress is surging ahead in the 230 talukas, PTI reported.

The BJP in Gujarat has suffered a major jolt in the local panchayats polls where the Congress has won 21 of 31 district panchayats, in an impressive performance. These are also the first major elections in the state after Anandiben took over from Narendra Modi.

– The Congress is hoping to make a comeback in the state, cashing in on resentment of the Patel community against the BJP.

Ghodiya has 854 registered voters while Nani Bhugedi has 921 registered voters.