Gujarat local body polls: Congress hopeful of winning, says Ahmed Patel

Overwhelmed by the high voter turnout till noon across Gujarat for the second phase of local body elections, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel expressed confidence of winning the polls and termed the trend as a "wave for change".

Patel today exercised his franchise at a booth in his ancestral village of Piraman in Bharuch district today.

"This enthusiasm among people, who are coming out in huge numbers, to cast their votes, indicates a wave of change. Attempts were made (by BJP) to replicate the 'Gujarat Model' across India. But, people will eventually realize that they have been cheated and misguided by such claims of development," Patel told reporters.

The leader said he can envisage the defeat of BJP and victory of the Congress.

Polling to 31 district panchayats, 230 taluka panchayats and 56 municipalities was conducted today from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Counting of votes will be done on December 2.

As per the primary report from the State Election Commission, more than 35% voters have already exercised their franchise till 3 PM across Gujarat.

Among the prominent personalities, who have cast their votes, include state Health Minister Nitin Patel, Minister of State for Home Rajni Patel, Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki and many other leaders from both the parties.

After casting his vote in Kadi town of Mehsana, Nitin Patel also expressed confidence of winning polls.

"For BJP, development is the only agenda, be it local body polls, Assembly polls or Lok Sabha. People of Mehsana, who were deprived of drinking water earlier, are now given water from Narmada. People knows what this BJP government has done for them," he said.

Besides, people associated with the Patel Quota stir also cast their votes, including president of Sardar Patel Group(SPG) Lalji Patel.

Face of quota movement, Hardik Patel's father Bharatbhai, mother Ushaben and sister Monica also exercised their franchise in Viramgam town of Mehsana.