Ruling BJP demands Assembly polls in two phases in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Oct 4 (UNI) Ruling Bharatiaya Janata Party (BJP) today requested the Election Commission to hold polling in Gujarat in two phases for the forthcoming Assembly elections.

In a representation to the Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy, who was here to hold discussions with political parties and government officials before the announcement of poll dates, the BJP delegation led by state president Parshottam Rupala, in a written statement, requested that election should be held in two phases as being done in other states. It also demanded that two phases should have a gap of 5-days between them.

BJP also demanded that an extensive awareness campaign to encourage more voting should be conducted by the EC.

The State ruling party also demanded that the Central Government must take prior consent of the EC before announcing any scheme which, in any way, appease the voters of Gujarat.

BJP also asked EC to issue a directive to the State-owned 'Doordharshan' to be fair and equitable in election coverage as its present stand is biased towards ruling party and favours Congress Party.

Political parties should be allowed to put up campaign hoardings and banners in private properties with prior permission of the state owners, they demanded.

UNI