BJP heavyweights march ahead of rivals in Gujarat

BJP surged ahead of challenger Congress in Gujarat in 109 of 175 seats, with Chief Minister Narendra Modi leading from Maninagar but both state Congress chief and leader of Opposition trailing their rivals.

State Congress president Arjun Modhwadia and Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil were trailing in Porbandar and Bhavnagar(rural) seats respectively.

Keshubhai Patel, a former chief minister and Gujarat Parivartan Party president, who broke
away from BJP months ahead of the elections, is leading from Visavadar.

Modi's right hand man Amit Shah, accused in alleged fake encounters of Sohrabhuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati, is leading from Naranpura.

Another Modi confidante and minister Anandiben Patel was leading in Ghatlodia, but minister and state government spokesman Jaynarayan Vyas was trailing in Siddhpur.

Jagruti Pandya, wife of slain BJP leader, Haren Pandya, locked in a 'revenge' fight in Ellis Bridge seat, is trailing her BJP rival. Pandya's family had blamed Modi for the murder of Haren Pandya, who was twice elected from the seat. Trends from 7 RPT 7 constituencies are still awaited.

Sources in the state election office said BJP was leading in 109 constituencies, Congress in 61, NCP one and others in four. While BJP had won 117 seats in 2007 polls, Congress had bagged 59.