BJP national President Amit Shah greets supporters celebrating the BJP’s assembly election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh at BJP headquarters in New Delhi. As counting of votes for the 182-seat Gujarat assembly progresses after a two-phase election in PM Modi’s home state, trends show the Bharatiya Janata Party set to win albeit with a reduced margin, with the Congress improving its tally this time over. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)
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Party workers and supporters celebrate BJP's success in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh state assembly elections outside the BJP headquarter, in New Delhi. Results have been declared in 182 constituencies, with the BJP winning 99 and Congress 77. (Arun Sharma / PTI)
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“Undoubtedly, a major victory. The kind of work that party workers have done right from booth workers level till the PM’s level, everybody put their best foot forward and both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh have recognised the good work going on in the name of development,” said BJP leader and Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman. (Avind Yadav / HT Photo)
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Congress party workers protest against electronic voting machines outside party headquarters in New Delhi. Election Commission however defends EVMs, calling criticism in Gujarat elections unfair. Congress leaders say the party’s improved electoral performance in Gujarat is the result of their new chief Rahul Gandhi’s effective leadership, and is the beginning of his political story. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)
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Police security outside a counting center during Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017 at Ahmedabad on December 18, 2017. The results of the Gujarat elections are seen as a litmus test for the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. (Satish Shankar Bate / HT Photo)
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Constituents view a vote tally on a projection screen in Ahmedabad on December 18, 2017. The Election Commission of India is announcing the results on eciresults.nic.in. According to figures released by the Election Commission, an average 68.41% polling was recorded in the elections. The BJP was leading in 99 seats and the Congress in 77. (Satish Shankar Bate / HT Photo)
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Congress supporters shout slogans near a counting center in Ahmedabad on December 18, 2017. Seven exit polls say the BJP will retain power in Gujarat, where the saffron party has ruled for almost two decades but is battling an agrarian crisis and protests from its loyal Patidar vote bank. (Satish Shankar Bate / HT Photo)
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BJP supporters attend a campaign meeting addressed by PM Narendra Modi ahead of state assembly election on December 8, 2017. A win for the BJP would reinforce its dominance and affirm Modi’s popularity. For the Congress, a favourable outcome would be the best start Rahul Gandhi can hope for as new party chief. It will also mark a resurgence for the party, hit by a string of defeats, ahead of the 2019 general elections. (Amit Dave / REUTERS)
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BJP president Amit Shah (R) after voting in the second phase of Gujarat state assembly elections in Ahmedabad on December 14, 2017. Early trends are contrary to the BJP’s ‘mission 150’, based on the momentum it gained in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Unlike last election, there were no fireworks in the morning, as BJP workers held back celebrations. BJP chief Amit Shah is expected to reach the party headquarters around noon. (Ajit Solanki / AP)
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The ruling BJP and the opposition Congress are locked in a close contest in Gujarat, as the Election Commission releases results for constituencies. The BJP leads with 99 seats.
