Gujarat Assembly polls 2017: Caste, factionalism delay Cong candidate list

Moreover, groupism and dissension in the state Congress unit is also said to be a reason behind the delay in finalising candidates.

Even though only two days are left to file nominations for the first phase of Gujarat polls 2017 ,  the Congress is yet to announce its candidates as the party is trying to strike the delicate caste balance while doing the quota tight rope and grappling internal factionalism.

The list is likely to be announced tonight when a meeting is scheduled between PAAS leaders and the Congress.

“Our list will be declared this evening,” Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said without elaborating.

While Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), which is playing a hardball with the grand old party given its hold on the numerically strong community, has demanded around 20 seats from the Congress quota, Alpesh Thakor-led OBC group has demanded 12 seats, which has delayed the Congress’ list. Thakor had joined the Congress recently.

Moreover, groupism and dissension in the state Congress unit is also said to be a reason behind the delay in finalising candidates.

On the contrary, the ruling BJP has announced 106 candidates out of total 182 seats, by releasing two lists so far.

While polling for 89 constituencies will be held on December 9, remaining 93 seats will go to polls on December 14. The last date for filing nominations for the first phase is November 21.

 Click for Updates → Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017

Vote for BJP, save Gujarat from casteism: Modi’s written message to voters

Modi said a young person of 22-25 years cannot even imagine what Gujarat was in the past when casteism and communalism 'destroyed' it

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the people of Gujarat to vote for the BJP in the Gujarat Assembly Polls 2017 embracing its development agenda, and save the state by rejecting "casteism, communalism and dynastic politics".

On the first day of the BJP's door-to-door outreach drive - Gujarat Gaurav Maha-Sampark Abhiyan - BJP workers and leaders, including its president Amit Shah, distributed copies of Modi's message-cum-appeal among people.

In the written message addressed to the people of Gujarat, Modi urged them to remember what the state was before the BJP assumed power in 1995, and appealed to them to vote for his party to carry forward the "journey of development" that began 22 years back.

"Just compare what was Gujarat 22 years back and what it is now. Thanks to the good governance of the BJP governments, Gujarat has reached new heights of development, so much so that it is now known across the world," he said in the message.

Modi said a young person of 22-25 years cannot even imagine what Gujarat was in the past when casteism and communalism "destroyed" it.

"Now, some power-hungry elements are playing the same dirty game. Now, it is our collective responsibility to save Gujarat from the evils of casteism, communalism and dynastic politics," the message read.

Modi also slammed the Congress-led UPA governments, accusing them of having stalled the Narmada project.

The prime minister said though the Congress-led central governments were not favorable to Gujarat, the state continued its journey of development.

Click to Read → Gujarat Elections Date 2017