Gujarat Rajya Sabha Elections 2017 Live Updates: Polling has ended in Gujarat. All eyes are now on results as counting will begin shortly. Results will be announced by this evening. Ahmed Patel is finding it quite difficult as former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela and three Congress MLAs have voted for BJP candidates Amit Shah, Union Minister Smriti Irani and Balwantsinh Rajput, according to reports. The voting will end at 4 pm and counting will begin one hour after the polling ends. Ahead of the elections, Congress tried best to keep its flock together by flying 44 MLAs to a Bengaluru resort. However, Patel’s chances are still grim. A big setback for the Congress came on Monday when NCP, which had two MLAs, declared its support for Rajput, according to PTI. However, Patel told the news agency that NCP will vote for him.

The Congress was recently jolted in Gujarat by senior leader Shankarsinh Vaghela’s exit, cross-voting in the presidential election and resignation of half a dozen party MLAs. Patel would need votes of 45 MLAs to book a berth in the Upper House once again.

Here are the live updates of Gujarat Rajya Sabha Elections 2017:

2:17 AM: Congress’ Arjun Modhwadia said, ones who did not even have 50,000 in their homes, rejected 15 crores, reported ANI.

2:14 AM: As per ANI, it was a tough election, everyone worked together, party emerged stronger out of it, said Patel. He added,”Under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership Congress will be strengthened and we will win elections.”

2:10 AM: Notably, BJP President Amit Shah and Union Minister Smriti Irani both got 46 votes each.

2:09 AMMeanwhile, Patel tweeted, BJP stands exposed of personal vendetta and political terror. People of Gujarat will give them a befitting reply in this year’s election.


2:07 AM: Congress leader  P.Chidambaram took to Twitter and said,”Money, muscle and manipulation couldn’t win Gujarat RS Polls. BJP can break few weak Cong MLAs, but cannot break the party.

2:06 AM: Congress MLA Renuka Chowdhury congratulated Ahmed Patel and said,”It was a hard won battle. Govt tried hard but ultimately democracy won. Congratulate Ahmed Patel Ji.”

2:04 AM: He added, I want to thank each & every MLA who voted for me despite unprecedented intimidation & pressure from BJP. They voted for an inclusive India.

1:55 AM: Ahmed Patel took to Twitter after his win and said, “Satyamev Jayate.” He added,”This is not just my victory. It is a defeat of the most blatant use of money power, muscle power and abuse of state machinery.”


1:45 AM: Congress leader Ahmed Patel retains Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat, reported ANI


1:40 AM: Meanwhile, BJP MLA Nalin Kotadiya in a FB post said,”Seeing the pain of 14 youths who died during Patidar agitation I voted against BJP.”

1:30 AM: As per ANI report,  Counting for Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls to start shortly.

1:20AM: Patel also said that the disqualification of the two MLAs has boosted party’s morale, according to Times Now report.

1:10 AM: India Today reported Ahmed Patel saying that this is his most difficult election for him. He added that money power was used against me.

00:55 AM: Ahmed Patel said,”I appreciate the order of the Election Commission. I salute my MLAs & rank & file of the Congress Party.”

00:45 AM: Meanwhile, as per Times Now, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said,”The office of the law ministry has been diminished by the BJP at PM Modi’s behest and Amit Shah’s behest.”

00:35 AM:  Kotadia told Times Now,”I have not voted for BJP because BJP has not solved patidars’ problems.”

00:30 AM: MLA Nalin Kotadia posts FB video saying he didn’t vote for the BJP.

00:25 AM: Meanwhile, Congress workers in Gandhinagar celebrated EC’s verdict declaring votes of two Congress MLAs as invalid.

Congress workers celbrate after EC verdict. (ANI)

00:20 AM: He added, Everyone thought Amit Shah is always successful in unlawful, negative things but Gujarat proved this kind of authority won’t work

00:18 AM: Gujarat Bharatsinh Solanki said,”Gujarat Cong PresAhmed Patel Ji said EC made a good decision and thanked them.”

00:15 AM:  Patel on EC verdict declaring vote of 2 Cong MLAs as invalid said, If required we will take legal action

00: 10 AM: Patel demanded EC to make the CD public and said,”our polling agent raised the issue immediately but we thought it is for EC to decide further on it. I demand EC to make CD public.”

00:05 AM: Patel told ANI that I believe they already had plans since yesterday to make this fabricated story & conspiracy.

00:03 AM: He went on to say that Shaktisinh Gohil has seen the CD himself also and knows that he stood up in anger

00:00 AM: He added, Shaktisinh Gohil Ji was angry when MLA showed him his vote, he is visibly angry; tried to snatch the ballot paper.

11:57 PM: Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel said, the decision is sad. If the CD of voting is made public, not just us the whole nation will say the decision is wrong

11:55 PM: The Election Commission decision is a major blow for BJP in Gujarat, says India Today.

11:54 PM: Truth has emerged victorious in spite of BJP using all the power. Ahmed Patel will win said Surjewala, reported ANI.

11:52 PM: As per ANI report, Gujarat Cong President Bharatsinh Solanki said,”Big win for democracy; will boost the morale of Congress worker. Ahmed Patel will win with the big margin.”

11:50 PM: EC asks the returning officer to segregate the two ballots and proceed with the counting: says poll panel’s order on its website.

11:46 PM: According to Times Now report, Congress MLA Raghvji Patel said, I didn’t show my ballot to anyone.

11:38 PM: EC asks Returning Officer to start counting of votes after segregating the votes in question.

11:30 PM: EC decides to hold both the votes by Congress MLA Bhola Bhai Gohil & Raghav Bhai Patel as invalid according to ANI.

11:25 PM: He added, anyhow how will one identify two votes that they want to be disqualified? It is not possible practically.

11:20 PM: According to ANI, Constitution expert Subhash Kashyap said, this is not alegal issue just political drama. If there was objection, should’ve been raised during polling.

11:16 PM: Meanwhile, BJP’s Aman Sinha said  Congress party is falling like a pack of cards because of its internal contradictions and weak leadership, reported Times Now.

10:55 PM: Amit Shah, CM Vijay Rupani, Bhupender Yadav and other party members sitting outside counting center in Gandhinagar.

Amit Shah, CM Vijay Rupani, Bhupender Yadav and other party members sitting outside counting center in Gandhinagar. (ANI)

10:50 PM: Election Commission will convey order on counting of votes to Returning Officer at 11.30 pm, reported ANI.

10:42 PM: Meanwhile, India Today reported that JDU has sacked its Gujarat General Secretary Arun Srivastava.

10:38 PM: According to CNN News 18 report, EC sources said that the verdict by the body will come soon.

10:32 PM: Meanwhile, earlier, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said It is a complete sham that Congress is indulging in, the allegations are completely baseless.

10:28 PM: Surjewal went on to question the BJP delegation comprised of big guns and said,”Why is BJP bringing army of Defense/Finance Minister, Power Minister, Petroleum Minister & Commerce Minister? It means they want to suppress truth.”

ith all respect want to tell BJP that this is the war of truth, lies cannot prevail on Gandhi Ji’s land. (ANI)

10:20 PM: He added, with all respect want to tell BJP that this is the war of truth, lies cannot prevail on Gandhi Ji’s land.

10:15 PM: Randeep Surjewala told Times Now that we just came here to submit to the EC the SC judgement and EC circular.

10:10 PM: So far, The BJP and Congress trade charges after counting of votes in the Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls got
delayed, with the latter demanding cancellation of votes of its two MLAs for alleged violation of rules and the saffron party insisting that counting be taken up immediately.

10:00 PM: EC officials did not meet Congress & BJP delegations for the third time; officials are in closed door meeting right now, reported ANI.

9:50 PM: BJP delegation leaves Election Commission office.

BJP delegation leaves Election Commission office (ANI)

9:45 PM: Union Minister Nirmala Sitharamam said we want the lectoral process to be completed and counting to begin, reported ANI.

9:40 PM: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, we are confident about EC’s judgement, they will be giving opening on counting soon, reported ANI.

9:37 PM: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad as per ANI report said, Congress party is trying to put pressure on the EC. It is not fair. He added, the allegations by Congress are false and is desperate.

Congress cannot put undue pressure on EC. (ANI)

9:29 PM: BJP delegation also reaches Election Commission for the third time, reported ANI.

9:20 PM: Congress leaders including RPN Singh and Randeep Surjewala going to the Election Commission for the third time, reports ANI.

9:10 PM: The Election Commission will take a call on the Congress’s demand for invalidating votes of two of its MLAs who claimed to have voted for BJP nominees in the Rajya Sabha election in Gujarat today, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said in a PTI report.

BJPs MA Naqvi said,”Have appealed EC to start the counting process immediately because free & fair elections took place,” reported ANI. (ANI)

9:00 PM: BJPs MA Naqvi said,”Have appealed EC to start the counting process immediately because free & fair elections took place,” reported ANI.

8:50 PM: He added that BJP has asked EC to start the counting immediately.

8:45 PM: Ravi Shankar Prasad after meeting EC again said that have full faith in EC, Congress’s allegations have no substance and they are giving wrong precedents, reported ANI.

8:41 PM: The BJP delegations second meeting with EC is over.

8:35 PM: Union Minister Arun Jaitley has reached Election Commission.

8:30 PM: As per Times Now report, returning Officer in Gujarat is rightly awaiting instructions from Election Commission.

8:25 PM: He added, there is enough evidence that the ballot paper was seen by ppl other than those authorized.

8:21 PM: Congress leader P Chidambaram said that the ultimate decision is responsible for the final decision and have asked the EC to cancel the 2 votes as it did previously in Haryana in 2016.

Congress leader P Chidambaram said that the ultimate decision is responsible for the final decision and have asked the EC to cancel the 2 votes as it did previously in Haryana in 2016. (ANI)

8:17 PM: BJP Alimuddin Khan told Times Now, Ahmed Patel is going to win Rajya Sabha election. The fight is over protection of the Constitution.  Congress is not going to win the Gujarat Rajya Sabha election.

8:14 PM: Ambika Soni told Times Now, We have the numbers. We are alert enough to not allow them to superimpose something.

8:11 PM: BJP delegation including Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal & RS Prasad arrive at Election Commission again, while the Congress delegation in meeting with the EC.

8:05 PM: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told India Today that we will fight till the end.

8:03 PM: The Congress delegation to meet the EC soon.

7:58 PM: A heavy weight delegation comprising of Gulam Nabi Azad, P. Chidambaram among other to go to file a counter counter counter complaint.

7:54 PM: Congress MLA Anand Sharma said,”One of our MLAs had mistakenly shown his vote in Haryana and his vote was rejected, same was done in Gujarat so should be rejected,” reported ANI.

7:48 PM: Meanwhile, Ravi Shankar Prasad told ANI,” Requested EC to reject Congress’s plea as once votes are cast then nothing can be done, the process was fair.” He added,”Since morning Congress has been claiming win, now with defeat staring in their face they are making desperate attempts.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that when Congress leaders thought that they would lose, they went to the Election Commission. (ANI)

7:43 PM: Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that Congress did not raise issue till 3 PM. He added that  We don’t know what will happen following the counting. Congress disrespecting the election process.


7:39 PM:  Ahmed Patel said the complaint was filed immediately but returning officer didn’t do anything, reported ANI. He added,”I’m very much confident let counting take place.”

I’m very much confident let counting take place said Ahmed Patel. (ANI)

7:37 PM: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that when Congress leaders thought that they would lose, they went to the Election Commission.

 7:34 PM: Congress leaders including Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala will go to the Election Commission again shortly.
 7:32 PM: Election Commission meeting currently underway in Delhi.
 7:30 PM: He added,”Aap 6 ghante baithe rahe? 6 ghante chunav karate rahe? Ab aapko yaad aa raha hai?”

7:29 PM: Bhupender Yadav, BJP told India Today that we are going to win in Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls.

7:25 PM: JP delegation including union ministers MA Naqvi, Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan going to Election Commission.

Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Ravi Shankar, Nirmala Sitharaman also reach Election Commission. (ANI)

7: 18 PM: Meanwhile, Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Ravi Shankar, Nirmala Sitharaman also reach Election Commission

7:15 PM: He added,”we had raised the objection at 9.30 am, but EC has not responded till now, shows that they are being put under pressure.

7:12 PM: Congress MLA Arjun Modhwadia told ANI that we requested that Congress, BJP and Presiding officer should jointly watch the video, but BJP objected, waiting for EC decision.

7:08 PM: Sources told ANI that election Commission meet taking place right now over Congress complaint, EC’s decision will come today.

7:04 PM: BJP delegation including union ministers MA Naqvi, Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan going to Election Commission, reported ANI

6:56 PM: Meanwhile, the  JD(U) MLA in Gujarat, Chhotu Vasava, today said he voted for Congress’ nominee Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha polls as the ruling BJP has done little for tribal people and the poor, reported PTI.

6:45 PM: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has arrived the headquarters.

6:35 PM: Meanwhile, in New Delhi Congress is having a Working Committee meeting at party HQ.

6:30 PM: All reports and Congress’s complaint have been sent to EC in Delhi. Counting will begin once reply is received, reports ANI.

Congress complaint to EC demanding quashing of votes of 2 Cong MLAs who voted BJP and allegedly showed votes publicly. (ANI)

6:24 PM: Gujarat’s JDU General Secretary Ambalal Jadhav over KC Tyagi’s claim of Nitish Kumar asking Gujarat MLA Chhotubhai Vasava to vote for BJP said,”Who is KC Tyagi to say anything? Chotubhai has voted, he will tell. Our support is with Ahmed Patel,” reported ANI.

Gujarat’s JDU General Secretary Ambalal Jadhav over KC Tyagi’s claim of Nitish Kumar asking Gujarat MLA Chhotubhai Vasava to vote for BJP. (ANI)

6:17 PM: Meanwhile, Congress MLA Raghavji Patel told TIMES NOW that he told Ahmed Patel a month ago not to contest RS polls. He added that MLAs were not happy with the party.

6:05  PM: Counting yet to begin, reports ANI.

5:59 PM: Ahmed Patel did not want to contest RS election & wanted to make way for Waghelas says Times Now.

5:51 PM: Republic TV reported that the counting to begin in 15 mins.

5:40 PM: ANI reported that Congress’s Randeep Surjewala and RPN Singh has approached EC to demand to cancel of votes of two Congress MLAs. They claim that the two MLAs voted for BJP and publicly showed the votes.

5:31 PM: Meanwhile, JDU leader KC Tyagi said, Nitish ji had asked our Gujarat MLA Chhotubhai Vasava to vote for BJP and he voted BJP.

5:25 PM: Furthermore, Gohil while talking to reporters gave out the name of the two Congress MLAs who showed their vote publicly. He said,”two Congress MLAs Bholabhai and Raghavji Bhai voted for BJP and publicly showed their votes.”

5:19 PM: Notably, BJP members celebrate at BJP office in Ahmedabad ahead of Rajya Sabha poll results.

BJP members celebrate at BJP office in Ahmedabad ahead of Rajya Sabha poll counting. (ANI)

5:10 PM: Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Ahmed Patel said that numbers are in our favour, the result should be good, I am confident and optimistic.

5:05 PM: The counting will start at 5 PM.

5:00 PM: Gohil told the reporters that we will ask for official copy, if the video has tampered then it is a serious a criminal act, we will go to SC for that

4:55 PM: He added, two Congress MLAs who voted for BJP showed their votes to Amit Shahji, it has been video-graphed.

If a voter shows his vote to anyone other than party’s authorized agent, then the vote gets rejected(ANI)

4:50 PM: Congress MLA Shaktisinh Gohil told ANI that, if a voter shows his vote to anyone other than party’s authorized agent, then the vote gets rejected.

4:40 PM: According to a report by Dainik Jagran, Balwantsinh Rajput had started his journey from selling tea and beetle nut in a handcart along with his father in Sidhpur. He is now the owner of Gokul Group with assets worth Rs 254 crore.

4:19 PM: Congress MLA Dharshi Khanpura cast his vote himself after EC officer denied his proxy voting request.

4:11 PM: Moreover, Congress’ Dharshi Khanpura had urged the EC officer to allow the proxy vote for him as unable to write. Officer said that the request should’ve been made three days prior.

4:01 PM: “My fervent appeal to Bapu Shankar Singh ji Vaghela as an individual and his brother who hosted him in Khajuraho before he became CM. Don’t forget what Congress has done for you. You are a Rajput. Please ensure Ahmed Bhai’s victory. He has been our friend and supporter,” Digvijaya Singh tweeted.

3:55 PM: Earlier, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday made a fervent appeal to former party leader Shankersinh Vaghela over the Gujarat Rajya Sabha Polls, reminding him not to forget what the grand old party has done for him over the past years.

3:50 PM: “The leaders of the other two parties also promised to vote for us. Even the BJP leaders will do cross voting and will support Ahmed Patel. We have got more vote than it was required to win the seat,” Modhwadia said.

3:45 PM: “We had 44 votes, till now 43 votes have been cast and all the votes have gone to Ahmed Patel. One of our MLAs is going to vote now and that too will go to the Congress party,” Congress MLA Arjun Modhwadia told ANI.

3:40 PM: Modhwadia further stressed that their candidate will win the seat of Upper House entirely on the votes of the Congress party leaders. “The leaders of the other two parties also promised to vote for us. Even the BJP leaders will do cross voting and will support Ahmed Patel. We have got more vote than it was required to win the seat,” he said.

3:35 PM: Meanwhile, Congress MLA Arjun Modhwadia on Tuesday expressed confidence of winning the Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat and said the party candidate Ahmed Patel has got more votes than required to win.

3:30 PM: Gehlot accepted that all the seven MLAs of Vaghela group, including Raghavji Patel and Dharmedrasinh Jadeja have cross-voted.

3:25 PM: Out of the 51 MLAs, on  44  legislators had gone to Bengaluru ahead of the voting. Seven members including Vaghela did not go.

3:21 PM: Notably, the Congress now has 51 MLAs in the Upper House after six of its MLAs resigned from the party following a rebellion from senior party leader Shankarsinh Vaghela.

3:13 PM: He claimed that out of our 44 MLAs we accept that one of them has cross-voted, but one of NCP and one of JD(U) has given us support.

3:08 PM: Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Congress’ Gujarat in charge Ashok Gehlot said that Ahmed Patel is winning comfortably, according to PTI report.

3:00 PM: Ahmed Patel is not “scrounging for every vote”. It’s the BJP who have been poaching. He’s obliged to protect his numbers. Elections are fought to win! Omar Abdullah tweeted.

2:55 PM: WATCH- This can shock Ahmed Patel

2:50 PM: Meanwhile, the win of two of the three BJP candidates party president Amit Shah and Smriti Irani was almost certain, while the fate of the third party candidate Balwantsinh Rajput who joined BJP after resigning from Congress was hanging in balance along with the sole Congress candidate Ahmed Patel.

2:40 PM: Earlier, former Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela did not vote for Patel and said there was no point voting for the grand old party as they are never going to win the elections.

 2:35 PM: “The entire nation will face the impact and effect of this election. I tried to explain a lot to the Congress party before the elections, they didn’t listen, following which I left the party. Now when the Congress Party is not going to win the elections, there was no point giving my votes to it,” Vaghela told the reporters after casting his vote.

2:30 PM: WATCH- Ahmed Patel exudes confidence about winning Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections

2:07 PM: WATCH- Here is all you want to know about Gujarat Rajya Sabha Elections

1:57 PM: Voting for Gujarat Rajya Sabha Election has ended and counting will take place shortly. Results will be announced by evening.

1:52 PM: A candidate will require 45 votes for a straight win in the poll, and the BJP with 121 MLAs in the truncated 176-member Assembly following the resignation of six Congress legislators, can secure easy victories for Shah and Irani.

1:47 PM: The party will be left with 31 surplus votes for Rajput, who will require the backing of rebel MLAs of the Congress and smaller parties to win. Now that he has the support of two NCP MLAs, his task would become a bit easier.

1:42 PM: Gehlot has slammed Shankersinh Vaghela and termed those who voted against Congress as Opportunists.

1:40 PM: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said total 8 MLAs voted against Congress. He, however, said Congress will win the Rajya Sabha Elections.

1:35 PM: WATCH- Here is how Ahmed Patel can win

Read Also: Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections- Cross voting dents poll, 2 Congress MLAs vote for BJP, JDU for Ahmed Patel

1:23 PM: Gujarat Congress MLAs at Uma Bhawan after they cast their vote in Rajya Sabha elections

1:20 PM: “I have voted for Balwantsinh Rajput. I want to stay in politics but not in Congress. There are only two parties in Gujarat – Congress and BJP. If I’m not with Congress, this is understood where will I be,” party leader Raghavji Patel said making his intentions clear.

1:15 pm: It has been learnt that total 7 rebel Congress MLAs have against Ahmed Patel, according to reports.

1:10 pm: WATCH- Ahmed Patle’s fate hangs in balance

1:07 PM: The voting for the crucial Rajya Sabha polls for three seats begun at 9 a.m. will continue till 4 p.m. The counting will commence at 5 p.m.

12:55 PM: WATCH- JD(U) extends support to Congress in Rajya Sabha Elections

12:52 PM: In a jolt to the Congress, two party leaders admitted that they have voted for the BJP in Gujarat Rajya Sabha elections. The two Congress leaders Raghavji Patel and Dharmendra Jadeja voted for BJP’s Balwantsinh Rajput.

12:48 PM: The Congress party on Tuesday said that Congress MLAs will vote for its candidate Ahmed Patel in the Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls despite Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) conspiracy and cheap tactics.

12:45 PM: “Congress MLAs will vote for Ahmed Patel despite BJP’s conspiracy and cheap tactics. BJP could not lure the Congress MLA. In the end truth will prevail, definitely Ahmed Patel is going to get all the votes,” Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala told ANI.

12:42 PM: 61 BJP MLAs and 43 Congress MLAs have cast their votes so far in Gujarat Rajya Sabha Elections

12:38 PM: Victory of our candidates certain. Party had been working for this since announcement of election dates: Former Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel

12:35 pm: WATCH- Congress refuted charges of cross voting

 

12:20 pm: Congress MLAs outside the assembly after casting their votes in Rajya Sabha

12:15 PM: Patel was among 44 MLAs who were lodged in Eagleton resort and subsequently in  Neejanand resort in Anand district

12:12 PM: Congress MLA from Sanand Karamsinh Patel voted against Ahnmed Patel in Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls, according to CNN News 18 report

12:00 PM: Earlier, a bus carrying 44 Congress MLAs reached the Swarnim Sankul in the state secretariat here from a resort in Anand this morning.

WATCH- In Gujarat every vote counts

11:55 AM:The MLAs flashed victory signs while going inside the voting centre.

11:50 AM: According to Ahmedabad Mirror, Rajput was an ardent fan of the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi.

11:46 AM: A Vidhan Sabha recording shows that Narendra Modi told the Gurajat Assembly that Rajput was one of the first politician in Gujarat who told him in 2005 that he wanted to see him (Modi) as the prime minister of India, according to report.

11:43 AM: PM Modi had made this comment at the special assembly session called on May 21, 2014 to mark his appointment as the prime minister, claims the website.

11:37 AM: Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 12 noon following uproar over attack on Congress VP Rahul Gandhi’s convoy in Gujarat.

11:35 AM: WATCH- What Ahmed Patel says about Gujarat Rajya Sabha Polls

11:30 AM: Polling is going on for the Gujarat Rajya Sabha Elections. The voting will continue till 4 p.m and the counting will be held from 5 p.m.

11:28 AM: From Parliament, Gujarat Government is investigating, arrested one. Rahul Gandhi should have followed security related suggestions, said Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha.

11:25 AM: Meanwhile, Uproar in Parliament over the incident of Rahul Gandhi’s vehicle being  attacked during his Gujarat visit to take stock of flood situation.

11:23 am: The MLAs have to give their preferential votes indicating first choice, second, third, fourth (as per number of candidates) or they can choose NOTA, they said.

11:20 AM: According to Election Commission officials, a candidate would require one-fourth of the total number of votes plus one to get elected. This would mean a contestant has to muster 45 votes.

11:16 AM: It is after a gap of about two decades that a contest is happening in Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat, where official nominees of major parties used to get elected unopposed, after the BJP fielded a Congress rebel against Patel, who is seeking a fifth term.

11:13 AM: Meanwhile, Monsoon session of Parliament has reconvened after a gap of three day.

11:10 AM: WATCH- Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani predicts landslide victory for BJP

11:08 am: A candidate will require 45 votes for a straight win in the poll, and the BJP with 121 MLAs can secure easy victories for BJP chief Shah and union minister Irani. The party will be left with 31 surplus votes for Rajput, who will require the backing of rebel MLAs of the Congress and smaller parties to win.

11:05 AM: Ahmed Patel requires 45 votes to sail through his fifth RS election. The Congress has a clear support of 44 MLAs.

11:03 AM: The elections have turned into a high-stake battle for the Congress in the backdrop of turbulence in the party following the surprise exit of Vaghela and the resignation of six of its MLAs recently.

11:00 AM: Adding to Ahmed Patel’s misery, former grand old party leader Shankersinh Vaghela said that he did not cast his vote for the Congress candidate.

10:55 AM: “When we know that Congress will not win then there is no point of voting in favour of them. I didn’t cast my vote for Ahmed Patel,” Vaghela said.

10:50 AM: The two Congress leaders Raghavji Patel and Dharmendra Jadeja voted for BJP’s Balwantsinh Rajput in Gujarat Rajya Sabha Elections 2017

WATCH- Ahmed Patel will not win, says Shankersinh Vaghela

 

10:38 AM: “I have voted for Balwantsinh Rajput. I want to stay in politics but not in Congress. There are only two parties in Gujarat – Congress and BJP. If I’m not with Congress, this is understood where will I be,” Raghavji Patel said making his intentions clear.

Read Also: Rajya Sabha Elections- Who is Balwantsinh Rajput, Congress turncoat and now BJP candidate in Gujarat

10:33 AM: Meanwhile, NCP legislator Jayant Patel said Kandhal Jadeja is first time MLA, he is innocent.

10:30 AM: Things blown out of proportion because of Ahmed Patel. He’s in risky situation,half of his ppl might end up voting for BJP, says NCP leader Majeed Memon.

10:27 AM: NCP legislator Jayant Patel said he voted in Rajya Sabha Polls according to whip issued by high command, after all we are the partner of UPA.

Read Also: Rajya Sabha Elections 2017: Amit Shah, BJP have numbers but Ahmed Patel can still win in Gujarat; here is how

10:24 AM: Mahendra Sinh Vaghela, son of former Chief Minister, said, “I have cast my vote. In a democracy the voting is secret.”

10:21 AM: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani said that both NCP MLAs would vote for BJP candidates

10:18 AM: We have voted according to the whip issued, confident of victory of all our candidates: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani after casting vote  for Rajya Sabha Elections.

10:15 AM: Congress MLAs have arrived at Gujarat assembly in Gandhinagar from Neejanand resort in Anand to cast votes in Rajya Sabha Elections

10:13 AM: Meanwhile, Gujarat JD(U) MLA Chhotu Bhai Vasava said he has not decided yet whom to vote, according to ABP News report

10:10 AM: Out of the 4 candidates, Ahmed Patel is going to get the maximum number of votes. His victory is certain: Shailesh Parmar

10:08 AM: 2 MLAs voted for BJP despite being Congress MLAs. Shakti Singh Gohil has taken objection against this: Arjun Modhwadia,INC

10:06 AM: Gujarat has been witnessing political upheaval in the recent past. The political temperature in state had risen when six Congress MLAs joined BJP.

10:03 AM: While, Congress has 51 MLAs along with 7 of Shankarinh Vaghela’s camp. NCP has 2 and JD U has 1 MLA in the house.

10:00 AM: Watch- Trouble mounts for Congress

9:58 AM: There are only 2 parties in Gujarat – Congress & BJP. If I’m not with Congress, you know where will I be: Raghavji Patel after casting vote in Rajya Sabha

9:55 AM: In 182 member assembly, BJP has 122 seats including dissident Nalin Kotadiya.

9:53 AM: Voted for Balwantsinh Rajput in Rajya Sabha Elections. I want to stay in politics but not in Congress, says Raghavji Patel.

9:50 AM: Congress hadn’t been listening to us for a year. We have voted for Balwantsinh Rajput: Dharmendra Jadeja, Congress.

9:48 AM: Congress needs the support of 45 MLAs for victory of Patel who is contesting for his fifth term for the upper house.

9:45 AM: Meanwhile, the win of two of the 3 BJP candidates party president Amit Shah and Smriti Irani was almost certain in Rajya Sabha Elections, while the fate of the third party candidate Balwantsinh Rajput who joined BJP after resigning from Congress was hanging in balance along with the sole Congress candidate Ahmed Patel.

9:43 AM: Had cleared things yesterday itself. You will know everything in the evening: NCP MLA Kandhal Jadeja said.

9:40 AM: However, Ahmed Patel, said he was confident and party was confident we are going to win in Rajya Sabha elections. Wait for the result to come, he said.

9:38 AM: Former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela said he did not cast vote for Ahmed Patel in Rajya Sabha Elections in Gujarat as Congress will not win.

9:35 am: WATCH- Ahmed Patel has a message for BJP

9:33 AM: Meanwhile, the win of two of the 3 BJP candidates party president Amit Shah and Smriti Irani was almost certain, while the fate of the third party candidate Balwantsinh Rajput who joined BJP after resigning from Congress was hanging in balance along with the sole Congress candidate Ahmed Patel.

9:30 AM: The Rajya Sabha election has been necessitated following the completion of the tenures of three existing members union minister Smriti Irani and Dilip Pandya of BJP and Ahmed Patel of Congress.

9:28 AM: WATCH- The counting will be held from 5 pm, an hour after the end of polling.

9:25 AM: Gujarat Assembly Secretary D M Patel, who is also the returning officer for the Rajya Sabha election said that after the resignation of six Congress MLAs, there are total 176 MLAs eligible to vote.

9:23 AM: WATCH- Here is what ex-CM Shankersinh Vaghela said about Rajya Sabha Elections in Gujarat

9:20 AM: The NCP has two MLAs in Gujarat — Kandhal Jadeja and Jayant Patel, its state unit president. Jadeja told reporters in Gandhinagar that the party has asked both of them to give their first preference votes to Rajput.

9:18 AM: “As per our party’s directive, we have to give our vote to BJP’s Balvantsinh Rajput. He will be our first preference,” said Jadeja, who has openly admitted in the past that he was very close to senior leader Shankersinh Vaghela, who recently quit the Congress.

9:15 AM: Congress MLAs convoy from Anand resort will reach Assembly by 10 am, according to TV reports.

9:13 AM: Watch- Polling has begun for Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat and will end at 4 pm

9:10 AM: Speaking on the reports of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to extend its support to BJP in Rajya Sabha polls, Party’s national spokesman GVL Narasimha Rao appealed to all political parties to select the candidature on merit.

9:07 AM: “It is natural for the other political parties like NCP not to support the Congress candidate. We certainly appeal to all political party to select our candidature on merit and as far as Congress is concerned, it has demonstrated to Gujarat, to the rest of the country that it will enact any drama to lure it MLAs to win one RS seat.”

9:05 AM: Shankersinh Vaghela has arrived for voting at Gujarat assembly to cast his vote.

9:00AM: Polling has begun in Gujarat Assembly.

8:57 am: Stating that it is confident of victory, BJP on Monday asserted that it will fight tooth and nail in the upcoming Assembly poll under the aegis of the Election Commission of India.

8:55 am: Watch- Polling to begin shortly

8:50 am: BJP Candidates Smriti Irani & Amit Shah arrive at State Legislative Assembly; CM Vijay Rupani also reaches

8:45 AM: Preparations for Rajya Sabha polls underway in State Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar.

8:40 am: Polling to begin at 9 am

WATCH-Congress MLAs are leaving resort in Anand to cast their votes

7:48 AM: NCP leader Kandhal Jadeja told ANI that his party has decided to support the saffron outfit. “Our party has asked us to support BJP in today’s Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat,” Jadeja said.

7:45 AM: However Congress’ candidate Ahmed Patel yesterday said that the NCP is extending its support to him. “The NCP has said that it will support Congress in the Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat,” Patel told ANI.

7:40 AM: Congress MLAs have left from Neejanand Resort in Anand, ahead of Rajya Sabha election voting.

7:35 AM: WATCH- Will Ahmed Patel emerge as victorious?

7:33 AM: Visuals from Neejanand Resort in Anand where Cong MLAs are staying

7:31 AM: In a major blow to Ahemed Patel’s winning prospect, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday announced it will support the BJP in Rajya Sabha Polls in Gujarat. Congress had announced having support of the NCP.

7:28 AM: Meanwhile, Congress Lok Sabha MPs to meet at 10:30 AM in the Parliament, today.

7:25 AM: Congress candidate Ahmed Patel has arrived in Neejanand Resort in Anand where party MLAs have been staying since yesterday morning.

(Disclaimer: Financial Express does not vouch for the authenticity of the videos cited in this story as we could not independently verify it.)