Campaigning for Surat Assembly by-poll ends

Campaign for the by-election to Choryasi Assembly seat in Surat wherein the BJP and the Congress are locked in a straight fight ended today.
The polling will be held on January 21 and counting of votes on January 24.
While BJP has fielded Zankhana Patel (35), daughter of sitting party MLA Rajendra alias Raja Patel whose death necessitated the by-election, Congress has given ticket to Dhansukh Rajput (57).
Out of total 26 candidates in poll arena, 24 are contesting as independents.
There around 3.91 lakh registered voters in Choryasi constituency.
Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who addressed a gathering at the constituency today, has expressed confidence that her party will sweep the bypoll.

Patel said Surat will get a metro rail project on the lines of Ahmedabad.

"The metro rail project is going on in full swing in Ahmedabad at present. Our government has planned a similar project for Surat too. For this, we have already given consent to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Surat Metro," the CM said.
She said the BJP government had given grants worth crores for carrying out various developmental works in Choryasi.
"I am confident that BJP will win the by-election with a huge margin," she added.
Meanwhile, Rajput said he was banking on the Patel vote swing as Surat remained a hot spot of Patel quota agitation last year.

"In the last Panchayat polls, Patel factor made a huge dent in BJP's seat count. Patels are not happy with BJP and they have turned against the party after the quota stir. I am hoping to get support of Patel voters this time. 25,000 votes (of Patels) are enough to turn the tide," he said.