India News
Polling for the second phase begins in Gujarat
Dec 16, 2007, 7:13 GMT
Ahmedabad, Dec 16 (IANS) Polling for the second and final phase to elect a new Gujarat assembly began Sunday in 95 constituencies spread over central and northern regions of the state.
Several heavyweights from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are contesting this round. This includes Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Issues of security and terrorism dominated the campaign themes for the second round. Developmental issues, with which the campaign originally began in the state, took a back seat.
In the 2002 elections, the BJP swept central Gujarat and also dominated northern region of the state in the aftermath of communal violence. The congress is making a determined bid to bounce back.
© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service
