Congress Hopeful of Winning Gujarat Civic Polls, Says Ahmed Patel

Overwhelmed by the high voter turnout till noon across Gujarat for the second phase of local body elections, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel expressed confidence of winning.

Mr Patel, who exercised his franchise at a booth in his ancestral village of Piraman in Bharuch district, termed the polling trend as a “wave for change”.

“This enthusiasm among people, who are coming out in huge numbers, to cast their votes, indicates a wave of change.

Attempts were made (by the BJP) to replicate the ‘Gujarat Model’ across India. But, people will eventually realize that they have been cheated and misguided by such claims of development,” Mr Patel told reporters.

The leader said he can envisage the defeat of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and victory of the Congress.

Polling to 31 district panchayats, 230 taluka panchayats and 56 municipalities was conducted today from 8 am to 5 pm.

Counting of votes will be held on December 2.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-hopeful-of-winning-gujarat-civic-polls-says-ahmed-patel-1248979