Boost for Ahmed Patel, Election Commission Says 2 Congress Votes Invalid | Read

A decision on counting of votes in the nail-biting Rajya Sabha election for three seats in Gujarat, delayed by over six hours, is expected around 11.30 pm. The delay was caused by the Congress asking the Election Commission to reject the votes of two of its rebels. A taut suspense continues over the fate of senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who is struggling to get re-elected to the Upper House of Parliament, with the BJP going all out to try and defeat him, turning the election into a big prestige battle. BJP chief Amit Shah, who makes his debut in Parliament, and union minister Smriti Irani will win the other two seats.