AHMEDABAD, Dec 20 � Surmounting incumbency factor and snuffing out a feeble challenge from a renegade saffron party stalwart, Narendra Modi today scored an unprecedented hat-trick, catapulting the BJP to power in Gujarat for the third consecutive time, reports PTI
Fortifying his claim as a frontrunner in the BJP for prime ministership in the event of NDA coming to power after the general elections, Modi led his party to a resounding victory which saw it win 115 seats in the 182-member assembly.
Arch rival Congress, out of power in the state for the last 22 years, secured 61 seats, while Sharad Pawar�s NCP, fighting the polls in alliance, won two. Gujarat Parivartan Party of Keshubhai Patel bagged two seats, while JD(U) and an independent won a seat apiece.
The performance of the two main contenders to power was nearly a repeat of the 2007 elections when BJP had won 117 seats and Congress 59.
Though the Congress marginally bettered its tally this time, getting two seats more, state party chief Arjun Modhwadia and Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil suffered shock defeat from Porbandar and Bhavnagar rural seats respectively. Both were among the probables for Chief Minister�s post in the event of Congress coming to power.
However, another Congress stalwart, Shankarsinh Vaghela, a former BJP Chief Minister, managed to scrape through from Kapadvanj.
Among the major casualties for BJP were five ministers in the Narendra Modi government.
Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas was worsted by Balvantsinh Rajput of Congress in Siddhpur, while Agriculture Minister Dileep Sanghani lost to Congress� Paresh Dhanani at Amreli. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Fakirbhai Vaghela lost to Congress� Jethabhai Vaghela in Vadgam.
Junior Ministers Kiritsinh Rana and Kanubhai Bhalala too bit the dust.
