Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who is going all out to woo the voters ahead of the state assembly polls, on Wednesday said that he was confident of retaining the mandate.
Speaking to mediapersons in Ahmedabad after greeting the people on the occasion of the 'Gujarati New Year', a confident Modi said that the people of Gujarat would never elect the 'dark rule' of Congress.

"The state of Gujarat is celebrating the festival of Diwali, but on December 20 the state will celebrate a second Diwali. Gujarat is celebrating the festival of Diwali and the festival of elections under a democracy. Both these festivals are being celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm," said Modi.

"The people have made this resolution to never allow darkness to prevail in the state, they have maintained this resolution for the last 11 years and will continue to shine for the next five years," he added.

The first phase of the Gujarat assembly polls will be held on December 13, while the second will be held on December 17.

The election results for Gujarat would be announced on December 20.