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Indian flash-point goes to polls Key poll in flash-point Gujurat
(40 minutes later)
Voters are casting their ballots in the western Indian state of Gujarat to elect a new state government.Voters are casting their ballots in the western Indian state of Gujarat to elect a new state government.
In the first round of the two-phase election, 18 million voters will cast their ballots at 20,000 centres across the west and south of the state. In the first round of the two-phase election, up to 18 million votes will be cast at 20,000 centres across the west and south of the state.
Round two will be on 16 December, with votes counted on 23 December.Round two will be on 16 December, with votes counted on 23 December.
The elections will decide the fate of chief minister Narendra Modi whose BJP party was accused of failing to protect Muslims during religious riots in 2002. The elections will decide the fate of chief minister Narendra Modi, whose BJP party was accused of failing to protect Muslims during religious riots in 2002.
More than 1,000 people were killed in the violence, most of them Muslims.More than 1,000 people were killed in the violence, most of them Muslims.
Voters speak out on election dayIn picturesVoters speak out on election dayIn pictures
A tight race is predicted between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Congress party rivals.A tight race is predicted between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Congress party rivals.
Voting on Tuesday is taking place in 87 of the state's 182 constituencies.Voting on Tuesday is taking place in 87 of the state's 182 constituencies.
In India's diamond capital, Surat, people begun queuing up outside polling centres early in the morning, and within an hour brisk polling was reported from several polling stations. In India's diamond capital, Surat, people began queuing outside polling centres early in the morning, and within an hour brisk polling was reported from several polling stations.
Security is tight with armed paramilitary troops and local policemen stationed outside polling stations.Security is tight with armed paramilitary troops and local policemen stationed outside polling stations.
Supporters of both parties are turning out in strength to vote.Supporters of both parties are turning out in strength to vote.
Heavy securityHeavy security
Diamond merchant Khodidas Chalodia, who voted at a polling station in Varachcha, said: "The Congress party is the only one which works for the people."Diamond merchant Khodidas Chalodia, who voted at a polling station in Varachcha, said: "The Congress party is the only one which works for the people."
BJP supporter Purshottam Shaymji Bhai, a diamond-cutter, says he had his wife have voted for the BJP because Mr Modi has "worked for our development".BJP supporter Purshottam Shaymji Bhai, a diamond-cutter, says he had his wife have voted for the BJP because Mr Modi has "worked for our development".
The charismatic chief minister is not known to be a team player and has antagonised many of his former party colleaguesThe charismatic chief minister is not known to be a team player and has antagonised many of his former party colleagues
The Gujarat vote will be seen as a test for Congress, which is the ruling party nationally, and its main rival the BJP after recent speculation about a possible early general election.The Gujarat vote will be seen as a test for Congress, which is the ruling party nationally, and its main rival the BJP after recent speculation about a possible early general election.
More than 52,000 federal troops have been deployed to keep an eye on the polls. They will be assisted by the state police.More than 52,000 federal troops have been deployed to keep an eye on the polls. They will be assisted by the state police.
Leaders of the two main parties have addressed dozens of rallies in the run-up to the polls.Leaders of the two main parties have addressed dozens of rallies in the run-up to the polls.
Mr Modi's supporters say he has worked tirelessly for the development of the state, ensuring round-the-clock electricity and tap water for every home.Mr Modi's supporters say he has worked tirelessly for the development of the state, ensuring round-the-clock electricity and tap water for every home.
They say he has also built world-class roads, won billions of dollars of investment for the state, created millions of jobs and fought for education for girls and against female foeticide.They say he has also built world-class roads, won billions of dollars of investment for the state, created millions of jobs and fought for education for girls and against female foeticide.
His critics say he has been unable to check inflation and rising power prices and accuse his administration of corruption.His critics say he has been unable to check inflation and rising power prices and accuse his administration of corruption.
The charismatic chief minister is not known to be a team-player and has antagonised many of his former party colleagues.The charismatic chief minister is not known to be a team-player and has antagonised many of his former party colleagues.
At least two senior BJP leaders in the state - Keshubhai Patel and Suresh Mehta - have openly said they will work to ensure Mr Modi's defeat.At least two senior BJP leaders in the state - Keshubhai Patel and Suresh Mehta - have openly said they will work to ensure Mr Modi's defeat.
Poll pleaPoll plea
The election is mostly expected to be a referendum on Mr Modi's five-year term in office and the campaign has at times turned nasty.The election is mostly expected to be a referendum on Mr Modi's five-year term in office and the campaign has at times turned nasty.
Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi has called the rulers of the state "merchants of death".Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi has called the rulers of the state "merchants of death".
Security is tight at polling stationsAnd Mr Modi's has been accused of condoning the killing of an innocent Muslim man, Sohrabuddin Sheikh, who Gujarat police have admitted shooting dead in a staged gun battle.Security is tight at polling stationsAnd Mr Modi's has been accused of condoning the killing of an innocent Muslim man, Sohrabuddin Sheikh, who Gujarat police have admitted shooting dead in a staged gun battle.
India's Election Commission has ordered both politicians to explain their remarks - before it decides whether they have violated the code of conduct.India's Election Commission has ordered both politicians to explain their remarks - before it decides whether they have violated the code of conduct.
Addressing a press conference in Gujarat's largest city, Ahmedabad, on Monday, election officials issued an "appeal to all political parties to... desist from inflaming religious or caste passions".Addressing a press conference in Gujarat's largest city, Ahmedabad, on Monday, election officials issued an "appeal to all political parties to... desist from inflaming religious or caste passions".