With the Election Commission announcing the dates for polling in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party have started rolling up their sleeves for a direct electoral fight. Both the parties said they were “confident” of winning.
The polls for Gujarat will be held in two phases on December 13 and 17, while Himachal Pradesh will vote on November 4.
In Gujarat, the Congress will focus on a campaign against Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s “Vibrant Gujarat.” The party’s President, Sonia Gandhi, has already hit roads in the State by challenging the development claims made by the State Government.
The Congress is not keen to hit out at Modi on the 2002 Gujarat riots again. Insiders feel that the campaign based on Modi’s alleged role in the riots did not yield results in the last Assembly elections. Though the party has no State leader who can be projected against Modi, it is banking on BJP’s internal squabbles and a “strong” anti-incumbency factor.
The BJP, too, plans to “expose” the “corrupt” UPA Government’s apathy towards Opposition-ruled States. Modi has already launched an attack on Sonia Gandhi, asking her to reveal the expenses incurred for her treatments abroad.
“Modi is trying to get cheap publicity,” Congress spokesperson, P.C. Chacko, said.
The results of both the States will be announced on December 20. The notification for Gujarat elections will be issued on November 17 and 23 and for Himachal on October 10. The model code of conduct has come into operation, Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath said.
The last date for filing nominations in Gujarat is November 24 for the first phase and November 30 for the second phase.
In Himachal Pradesh, the filing of nomination ends on October 17. The Gujarat Assembly has 182 elected members and there are 68 constituencies in Himachal Pradesh.
In Himachal Pradesh, too, the BJP and Congress are in a direct battle.
State Chief Minister P.K Dhumal is aiming for a second term. The Congress is likely to be led by former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Emboldened by their victory in the Shimla corporation council, the Left parties are also trying to put up a fight.