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Second phase of Gujarat asembly polls begins toda

Reports trickling down says,Long Q has been observed at voters booth in Gujarat.With the sunshine encouraged voters, as the state reels under cold wave,  made way for large number of voters to come out  at faster pace comparative to early morning voting in snail pace condition.As per the reports from the government media about 25 5 to 30 % voting has been exercised till 2Pm and there is no incident of violence but peaceful voting is on its way in Gujarat. Voting for the 95 assembly seats in the second phase in North and Central Gujarat North western state of India began under tight security here today morning. More than 1.87Cr voters will exercise their franchise to a list of 599 candidates including 31 women. Credible security arrangements have been made by the Election Commission (EC) to ensure that free and fair voting takes place in the 11 districts of the state.The state of Gujarat is under surveillance of police along with 574 companies of para-military forces deployed in the constituencies to infuse voters fearless voting rights.EC has set up 20,545 voting booths for the 95 seats.

Election Commissioner for first time in the Gujarat elections appointed micro observers on sensitive booths to take extra care to keep the booth free from being rigged as 4,830 micro observers will monitor voting and give their reports to the election observers after the completion of polls in these booths.

Elections for 87 assembly seats were conducted on December 11 in the first phase.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said BJP will romp to a “historical victory" in the state assembly elections.

Modi cast his vote at the Nav Chetna school in Ranip locality of the city here.

A large number of BJP supporters and eager onlookers had gathered at Ranip to catch a glimpse of Modi on his arrival.

As the crucial second phase of Gujarat elections got underway this morning, advertisements claiming Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leader L K Advani were “duping people in name of Hindutva" appeared in vernacular dailies here.

The advertisements published by Sardar Patel Utkarsh Samiti (an organisation formed by the rebels in the Gujarat-unit of the BJP) attempts to remind the readers the stand taken by the leaders on the Jinnah episode.

The advertisement in Gujarati language shows Modi performing `aarti" wearing shoes, while it depicts L K Advani clapping and enjoying at a cultural programme during his controversial visit to Pakistan.

The title of the advertisement reads: “The true face of BJP"s fake-Hindutva has been revealed!".

“The `Chela" (disciple) is like his `Guru"", reads the advertisement referring to Modi and his mentor Advani.

“Advani is the one who paid homage to (Pakistan"s founder) Mohammed Ali Jinnah, responsible for the division of the country," it states.

The advertisements ask the people to recognise the face of Modi as even the Gujarat government"s official magazine carried an article praising Jinnah.

“People are being cheated in the name of Hindutva", it adds. PTI