Ahmedabad, Dec 23: Congress party has expressed confidence that there would be a swing in favour of the party as the day progresses in Gujarat where counting of votes for the Assembly elections is underway.

Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Bharat Singh Solanki said “ultimately the swing will be in favour of Congress. ”

On the question of BJP rebels being absorbed in Congress and given tickets, Solanki said “it is the question of ideology and truth. ”

He said this was done for the State’s welfare and not for “individual war”.

Commenting on his chances of becoming next chief minister, Solanki said: “I am soldier of party. I am happy being it. ”

Counting of votes cast in the two-phased elections commenced at 8 a. m. this morning in 37 counting stations amidst tight security with the Congress and the BJP locked in a virtual straight fight.

All political parties are keeping their fingers crossed for an outcome that will alter the country's political landscape in the months to come.

Both the Congress and the BJP have expressed confidence about emerging victorious, even as exit polls conducted by several television channels have predicted incumbent Chief Minister Narendra Modi's return to power for a second consecutive term.

The exit polls, however, have said that Modi will return, but with a reduced majority. A hung Assembly is also not being ruled out. In the outgoing 182-member House, BJP and Congress had 127 seats and 51 respectively.

The Gujarat polls have for the first time attracted countrywide attention with Modi acquiring a larger than life image during what has been touted as a very acrimonious poll campaign, involving verbal slugfests between Modi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

In all, 1,268 candidates are battling for 182 seats. (ANI)