AHMEDABAD: The caste factor is likely to remain at the core of Gujarat Assembly polls following the emergence of caste-based movements, with major parties distributing tickets accordingly.Both the BJP and Congress have kept the caste arithmetic in mind while given tickets for polls. Now, even a slight swing four to five per cent would significantly benefit Congress," Yagnik said.He said "the caste factor is still at the core of Gujarat's politics and tickets are also distributed accordingly. "Since the last two decades, the BJP was enjoying support of the Patidars, be it urban or rural voters. "These new caste equations will not leave any impact," Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said. Gujarat never accepts people who talk negative," he said.Gujarat will vote in two phases - on December 9 and 14 - to elect a new 182-member Assembly.

Source: Economic Times December 05, 2017 07:30 UTC