39 percent voting till noon, Congress says EC acting under PMO pressure

Till 10 am, 12.39 percent of voter turnout was recorded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah and other political leaders have cast their votes.

As the frenetic political tussle between the ruling BJP and Congress made way to a charged up  political acrimony, the latter accused the Election Commission of acting under the pressure of the Prime Minister's office.

Congress’ Ashok Gehlot said PM Modi's roadshow after casting vote is a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct. He alleged that Election Commission seems to be working under pressure from PM and PMO.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala  also said that the Chief Electoral Officer is acting like a PS to the Prime Minister and that is a matter of shame to the Election Commission.

"Will expose the ‘double standards’ of an Election Commission subservient to whims of BJP and the entire scam on NPA’s," AICC spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted.

" PM holds a road show & pliable agencies subvert the Constitution. Is the EC acting as PS to PM abdicating its Constitutional duties?" he said.

Modi  cast his vote in his home state Gujarat for the assembly elections. He reached the polling booth at Ranip amid huge appaluase from a flood of people standing in line waiting for Modi to arrive.

After Modi cast his vote and came out of the booth, , he showed his inked finger to cameras and people alike and his supporters roared in appreciation..

After casting his vote Modi hit the streets in car drawing huge cheering crowds.

The second phase of the poll is taking place in north and central Gujarat.

Around 2.2 crore people will cast their vote in the last phase.

Prime Minister Modi urged all voters to turn up in large numbers. He tweeted: "Today is Phase 2 of the Gujarat elections. I request all those voting today to vote in record numbers and enrich this festival of democracy."

There are 182 seats in Gujarat in total. The first phase of the poll was held in 89 seats on Dec 9.

While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is fighting hard to retain their strong hold in the state, the Congress is trying to return to power after 22 years.

The Congress is fighting the election in an alliance with Hardik Patel-led Patidar Ananmat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).

The counting of votes will be held on Dec. 18.

The saffron-brigade is ruling the state since 1995.