Ahmedabad, Dec 7: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will address two rallies in Gujarat today ahead of the two-phased Assembly elections, scheduled to be held on December 11 and 16. Mr. Singh will address first public meeting at Rajkot. Later, he will proceed to Surat where he will address another public meeting in the afternoon.

Dr. Singh is expected to focus on the issue of development during his rallies. He is also scheduled to arrive here for a second round of campaign on December 11.

Tight security arrangements have been made in view of his visit.

Over 36 million voters will elect the 182-member Assembly in Gujarat in a two-phased election, as the term of the State's Legislative Assembly is due to expire on December 26.

The first phase of elections in Gujarat will be held on December 11 and second phase on December 16. The counting of votes will take place on December 23.

The BJP managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each.



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