As Gujarat Votes, Some Voting Machines Malfunction In Surat:

Ahmedabad: As Gujarat started voting in the first phase of elections today, a number of Electronic Voting Machines were reported to be malfunctioning in Surat, dominated by small traders and the Patidar community, which, the opposition Congress says, are disenchanted with the BJP. Around 13.38 per cent voting took place in Kutch, Saurashtra and south Gujarat till 10 am, where a contest is on for 89 of the state's 182 constituencies. The last phase of canvassing has seen a bitter and personal campaign between the Congress and the BJP. For the last two days, suspended Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's "neech" slur against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dominated the campaign.

The second phase of voting in the rest of the state will be held on Thursday, The results will be declared on December 18.

There are 24,000 polling booths in Gujarat, the problem has occurred in 7 or 8 booths," Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti told NDTV. "We have a number of EVMs in reserve. Concerned officials keeping continuous check," he said.

Claiming the Congress will win more than 110 seats, its senior leader Ahmed Patel said, "The BJP is an opportunist. They can do anything to stay in power". Earlier today, he tweeted asking the Election Commission to take "necessary action" about the malfunctioning EVMs.

The battle for the 12 seats in Surat, the diamond and textile hub and a BJP stronghold, is being seen as a referendum on the notes ban and new national tax GST. Rahul Gandhi has urged traders to punish the BJP, alleging that its mega reforms have brought small business to their knees. Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Smriti Irani have defended the GST and demonetisation, trying to allay the concerns of the traders.

The Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Indranil Rajyaguru, the richest man in the state assembly, from Saurashtra's Rajkot-West seat, is the most-watched today. "We are very confident, no question of any challenge," Mr Rupani said after casting his vote early this morning.

The ruling BJP holds 67 and the Congress 16 of the 89 seats where polling is being held. The others are held by smaller parties and Independents. Saurashtra and Kutch have the maximum number of constituencies are seen as crucial. The party that wins the most seats in these regions will be seen to have a head start.

Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, Saurashtra covers 11 districts has a huge population of the influential Patels or Patidars, who have been demandingthat they be included among castes that get benefits of affirmative action.

Rahul Gandhi, who is set to be the Congress chief, has strategically inducted Backward caste (OBC) leader Alpesh Thakore and enlisted the support of Mr Mevani and Hardik Patel, the 24-year-old face of the Patel or Patidar agitation, in his attempt to oust the BJP, in power in the state for the last 22 years.

Mr Mevani and Mr Thakore are also in fray today. Mr Mevani, a Dalit leader, is contesting from Vadgam as an Independent. Backward caste (OBC) leader Mr Thakore joined the Congress ahead of tThe second phase of voting in the rest of the state will be held on Thursday, The results will be declared on December 18.he elections and is contesting from Radhanpur. Other major contests feature senior minister Babubhai Bokhiria, the Congress' Arjun Modhwadia and former Finance and Power Minister Saurabh Patel.

PM Modi has led the BJP A-listers in the party's campaign, pitching the Gujarat election as a contest between "vikaswaad (development) and vanshwaad (dynasty) in an attack on Rahul Gandhi, who faced no opposition in the party's internal elections. "The Congress, including their topmost leaders, have abused me in deplorable language," PM Modi said, declaring that his home state will "take revenge on voting day."

The second phase of voting in the rest of the state will be held on Thursday, The results will be declared on December 18.