The Election Commission (EC) is likely to reveal the dates for Gujarat assembly polls on Monday, officials said. If the announcement…
India's Chief Election Commissioner AK Joti (AFP PHOTO)
The Election Commission (EC) is likely to reveal the dates for Gujarat assembly polls on Monday, officials said.
If the announcement is made, it will be a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Rs.650-crore roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) ferry service that reduces travel time by six hours between Saurashtra and South Gujarat in the election-bound state.
The opposition has already alleged that the poll body delayed the announcement of dates in order to allow the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dole out freebies to the state. The EC had revealed the dates for Himachal Pradesh earlier this month but not for Gujarat.
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PM Modi is seen as the last big hope for an embattled BJP in the Gujarat Assembly elections where the party faces the electorate for the first time without him as the Chief Minister.
The BJP has ruled Gujarat since 1995 barring a gap of just over a year in 1997 when rebel leader Shankersinh Vaghela formed a regional party government with Congress support.
Gujarat polls are expected to be held in December.
(With inputs from agencies)
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