Over 60 per cent voting was witnessed in the first phase of Gujarat assembly polls on Thursday. According to latest data from Election Commission, polling percentage was 60.47.
Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer P Bharathi told reporters that the polling was held peacefully. The voting began at 8 am and concluded at 5 pm with the highest voter turnaround in Narmada district at 73.02 per cent, followed by Tapi (72.32 pc). The third highest polling took place in Morbi (67.65).
Amreli saw 57.06 per cent voting, Bharuch (63.08),
Bhavnagar (57.81), Botad (57.15), Dangs (64.84), Devbhumi Dwarka (59.11), Gir Somnath (61.97), Jamnagar (56.09), Junagadh (56.95), Kachchh (55.54), Navsari (66.62), Porbandar (53.84), Rajkot (59.47), Surat (60.17), Surendranagar (60.71) and Valsad (65.29).
The fate of 788 candidates in 89 constituencies spread across 19 districts has been sealed in ballot boxes. The voter turnout was over 59 per cent till 5 pm.
As Gujarat went to poll on Thursday, NewsX conducted a marathon discussion all through the day on the 1st phase. It seems the party is upbeat and have started gearing up for another stint of five years. As the development is the main criteria, the new government will be focusing on making Gujarat a maritime, defence and solar hub.
As we are in the midst of the rough and tumble of an election cycle, from an election point of view, it was much more interesting five years ago. This time, it seems that Congress is not really in the fight, and even as AAP is trying to take over from them, the transition has not yet happened. But the BJP looks comfortable. Elections are all about style, like how well you connect emotionally with the people. Amidst the freebies and name-calling, there exists a point of purpose and a need for something visionary.
As India is on the cusp of changing gears in its history of becoming a superpower, some dramatic changes are happening. Gujarat is a maritime hub and defence hub. Even though it was claimed that India doesn’t do much for green energy at COP27, Gujarat has some of the world’s largest solar power fields.
The chief proponent, Narendra Modi, the prime minister and former chief minister, has said and demonstrated to people that they can put a solar plant on top of their roof tomorrow and earn money instead of spending money on electricity. Vision can change the world.
We know about the whopping coastline of Gujarat and the important ports it has. The already important infrastructure hub that it serves. A large part of India’s trade is processed through the ports of Gujarat. They need not be the best in India, but the best in the world. And Prime Minister Modi has already stated that Gujarat will become a maritime hub in the near future. The BJP manifesto is all about making Gujarat the maritime hub of the country. Gujarat has a 1600-km coastal line.
Gujarat went to election five years ago, and the BJP defeated the Congress. That was a record for the BJP. And if they win it this time around, it will be six straight terms for the BJP.
India is already exporting arms worth thousands of crores to friendly countries. India has the potential to become a net exporter of arms within the next five years. India will be able to earn foreign exchange by building defence technology, and Gujarat can become an integrated ecosystem hub for such a place. This will create R&D infrastructure and employment.
